Valance Item Number: Edz1262 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Plain grey valance with blue embroidered design; three medallions separated by vases; triangular designs at lower corners. Medallion on PR: stylized divided fruit encloses straight edge form, centre segmental figure, three legged base , leaf and tendril motif surrounds. Middle medallion: peony with phoenixes at upper left and right, sprig and tendril motif completes circular form. Medallion at PL: bat at top over two fruit and stylized form surrounded by leaf, tendril, geometric motifs. Vases have straight sides, narrow necks, three legged bases, against beribboned lozenge; contains chrysanthemums. Corner designs have lotus, swastika, leaf, tendril. Embroidered border on all three sides has stylized fruit, floral, leaf over continuous series of tassels. Rosettes distributed throughout. Ends hemmed.
History Of Use
Blue and white embroideries are part of a long domestic tradition. Designs vary geographically but are constant within generations of families except for minor individual variations. Often used to decorate the bed which traditionally played a focal part in household ritual particularly at the new year when all household spirits were honored. They are family made, by women, and family owned. These embroideries were of no local commercial value.
Cultural Context
utilitarian;household
Iconographic Meaning
Rosettes; good omen. Swastika; supreme good luck. Chrysanthemums; autumn, laughter, life of ease. Lozenge; one of eight treasures. Peony; spring, love, affection. Phoenix; immortality, female element. Lotus; summer, fruitfulness.
Item History
- Made in Chengdu, Sichuan, China before 1945
- Collected between 1932 and 1945
- Owned by Kathleen F. Spooner before April 25, 1979
- Received from Kathleen F. Spooner (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) on April 25, 1979
What
- Name
- Valance
- Identification Number
- Edz1262
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre and indigo dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, stitched, dyed and embroidered
- Overall
- height 46.5 cm, width 219.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Kathleen F. Spooner
- Received from
- Kathleen F. Spooner (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Chengdu, Sichuan, China
When
- Creation Date
- before 1945
- Collection Date
- between 1932 and 1945
- Ownership Date
- before April 25, 1979
- Acquisition Date
- on April 25, 1979
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0567/0037