Valance
1880-1920 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Wedding valance of white cotton, embroidered with blue cotton thread in cross-stitch. The design consists of five roundels of animals and human figures.
A large fish, perhaps a carp, and what look like a pair of cats dominate the roundel. The carp carries the meaning of fertility because it lays many eggs. The cats can be read as 'twin happiness'.
A large fish, perhaps a carp, and what look like a pair of cats dominate the roundel. The carp carries the meaning of fertility because it lays many eggs. The cats can be read as 'twin happiness'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Woven cotton, embroidered with cotton thread in cross-stitch |
| Brief description | Valance, white cotton with embroidery in blue cotton thread, Yunnan province, China, 1880-1920 |
| Physical description | Wedding valance of white cotton, embroidered with blue cotton thread in cross-stitch. The design consists of five roundels of animals and human figures. A large fish, perhaps a carp, and what look like a pair of cats dominate the roundel. The carp carries the meaning of fertility because it lays many eggs. The cats can be read as 'twin happiness'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Credit line | Given by Miss Mary Lumsden |
| Object history | This object was given by Mary Lumsden (1874-1931), M.A. (Cantab), who graduated at Girton College of the University of Cambridge. She was known for her interest in Chinese culture and her dedication to public service. At her house in St. John’s Wood, she regularly hosted parties for Chinese visitors and students to London. She had visited Dali of Yunnan province. (V&A archive: MA/1/L2305; registered file number 1927/4170) |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Bibliographic reference | Wilson, Verity. Chinese Textiles, 2nd edition, London: V&A Publications, 2005, plate 75, p. 68. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.125-1927 |
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| Record created | February 12, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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