Collection place: Beijing, Beijing municipality, Northern China / Culture or time period: Qing dynasty (1644–1912 AD) - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Collection place Beijing, Beijing municipality, Northern China Culture or time period Qing dynasty (1644–1912 AD)

Hearst Museum object titled Apron, accession number 9-21306, described as Shaman’s apron. Eighteen gores of patterned silk flaring from 3 to 3.5 cm width at the waistline to between 7.5 and 9.8 cm width at the bottom are arranged in a color scheme of yellow, cobalt blue, apricot, lemon green, scarlet, hunter green, gold, burnt Sienna; the same sequence repeated; and eggshell white and peach. The seams are covered with 1.6 cm wide strips of cobalt blue satin. They end 4.2 to 5.2 cm above the bottom of the apron. The last 14 cm changing into 7.5 cm of black satin with chevron decorations above and at the end. The cobalt blue satin tips are always off the seam to the right. The chevrons at the upper and lower ends of the black strip are formed of a 0.8 cm wide, woven silk (?) tape with white, sea green and maize zones, their order in the upper application reversed in the lower one. Black bars with more or less faded red dots run through all three zones. The 1.5 cm-wide silk tape above the final chevron has a running floral pattern between 2 thin light blue lines. On the white ground, the color scheme of the pattern is apple green and shades of blue, also red. Below the seam tapes, the gores are connected only with basting stitches. The narrow hem was done last. A 9.5 to 10 cm-high waistband of ochre silk is run through with a red and gold rayon (?) tie. Both waist and hemline slightly rounded. Width of apron at bottom: 153 cm; at waistline: 61.5 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Case, accession number 9-21261, described as Man’s case (for the ivory plaque reminding him of the early morning audience?). Black, navy blue, gold and silver tapestry stitches with six red accents. Identical patterns fore and aft. Cloud-shaped lid shows a bat; body: four symbols for “long life” in gold, interspersed with five for “joy” in silver. Crowned by the flamed pearl of perfection in silver and red, and framed by the running thunder motif forming the two dragons spitting it out, or vying for it, respectively. Sides: a black band with silver Xs and gold squares. A lip of cobalt blue broadcloth surmounts the case. The lining of unbleached cotton material covers both case and lip as well as the lid. The carrying double cord is 16 cm long and neatly knotted once. Two other cords emerge below and are first wound with a fabric embroidered in tapestry stitch in the unusual color scheme of white, pink, and red. These cords are 11 cm long. All cords are sapphire blue. Height of closed case: 11 cm; front width: 5 cm; cloud top: 6.7 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Collar, accession number 9-21268, described as Collar, child’s; Five petals in light green, midnight blue, cinnabar, hunter green, and mouse grey. All edges piped in black outside narrow silk tape, with blue edges and running diamond pattern, scalloped on one side. Embroidery is in satine stitch. petal 1: Moth and bird on flowering branch. Petal 2: double coin and bat with peach branch; Petal 3: bat over orchids; Petal 4: reed pipes (mouth organ?) over lotus; Petal 5: chrysanthemum. (Fide: Ilse Fang, 8/28/2001: Motifs may be seasonal. Medium to good embroidery quality.) Paper interfacing, peach-colored silk lining. ca. 1900. Girl’s name written on back of petal 4” T’ung Hsueh-yuan. Petals: 10 cm long, 11.5 cam; neck opening: ca. 8 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Comb, accession number 9-21320, described as Comb. Ornamental ivory comb with peach tip. For mustache? Seven teeth approximately 8 cm long; width: 2.1 cm; 3 mm thick.

Hearst Museum object titled Combs, accession number 9-21337, described as Combs. Set of two combs for mustache(?). A finer one in ivory, with undulating handle with hole for hanging cord. The coarser comb of white jade riveted to eye of ivory fish-shaped plaques which are also riveted together at the tail. Ultramarine green webbed cotton cord looped through wire ring at ivory comb and steadied in a simple knot. Another knot after 6.5 cm, and after another 6.5 cm, a “chuang-yuan” (First in the Imperial Examinations) knot. The two ends are laced through two coins: a well-worn copper coin with toothed edge and a large square hole. On one side, the legend “Five cash” still visible. After running through a crystal bead, the cord ends are laced through a coin of the Kang-hsi reign of the second Manchu emperor (1660-1723). The reverse has an inscription in Manchu. The cord ends are sewn together after they have looped through a wire triangle connected to a rivet at the mouth of the ivory fish. Length of ivory comb: 9 cm; greatest height: 2 cm. Length of centerpede(?) jade comb: 4.3 cm; height: 1.7 cm. Ivory fish plaques 6.5 cm long, 2.2 cm wide.

Hearst Museum object titled Compass, accession number 9-21418, described as Compass. Wooden disc with rounded back to fit into the well of a square, wooden board. Red thread fastened to one corner to align indicators on the compass. Hole in board center to lift compass. Radiating from compass: the eight trigrams; eight cyclical signs alternating with constellations; the beginning characters of the “Book of Changes” and signs of constellations; combinations of the twelve celestial stems and the ten earthen branches; the five elements, dates, etc. Disc rotates in board. Characters on it in red and black. Diameter: 20.4 cm; board: 23 cm square; height: 2.5 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Funerary figurine, accession number 9-21423a,b, described as Figurine. a) Silver funerary figurine of a Manchu lady. Height: 11.2 cm. Greatest width: 4.9 cm. Depth: 0.8 cm; b) Padded, navy, cotton cloth-covered box.

Hearst Museum object titled Hat, accession number 9-21244, described as Hat. Manchu princess’ hat. Red satin crown in four tiers. Eight folds meet at center. Crowned by red endless-knot button of strands of red silk thread. Blue satin eight-pointed star applique ends in clouds hanging over edge of crown. Cloud-ended star decorated with neatly stitched-on satin flowers in white, pink and green shades. Upturned brim otter skin. One seam in front, two in back. Stitched red satin brim lining; crown lined with red cotton folded whirligig-wise in center. From brim, one-third up in rear, emanate two 85 cm long red satin ribbons from 3 cm long slit, widening to 7 cm after 2 cm and increasing to 13 cm width 3.5 cm before each ends in a point. For the first 15 cm, they are sewn together, a three-bud-like piece of applique even covering the seam where the twin pattern meets. 13 cm and another 23 cm further down, the two ribbons are artfully tacked together. Peony and narcissus pattern, with rocks at the ends. Overall height of hat: 12 cm; crown: 10 cm; brim: 6 cm. Greatest diameter 21 cm; crown top: 13.5 cm; head opening 15 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Headband, accession number 9-21246, described as Headband and neckguard for a child. Midnight-blue satin; tacked-back ear flaps black-bordered yellow satin. Lower neck end scalloped. Over it water, rocks, lotus, clouds, butterflies. Headband: various flowers; earflaps: peach blossoms. Heart-shaped sculpted flower on center top, in red satin. Mostly coarse satin and stem stitch. Seed stitch where appropriate, and exclusively on ear flaps. Cerulean blue silk lining. Split on lower side reveals interfacing of satin before embroidering, and silk-waste padding. Overall length of folded piece: 36 cm; width of unfolded lower end: 28 cm; front end height: 12 cm; height of neck guard: 22 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Mirror case, accession number 9-21259, described as Mirror case, red. Satin stitch embroidery on satin, with gold thread for the latticework in the balustrade. A seated lady holds a horizontal scroll or fabric; a boy hands her a flower in the shape of a “ju-i” (scepter to fulfill one’s wishes). On left, a pine grows from a rock, while on right, a vase holds a flowering sprig. Fide: Ilse Fang, 8/28/2001: The orchid at right symbolizes chastity, so the woman is connected to this. Pine trees generally mean perseverance; pine trees growing on rock means perseverance. The broken ice / swastika pattern are buddhist / chinese symbols for long life. Back: wine-red silk. Both front and back padded and lined, with broad black border, except for the top opening, where the back has no border. Ends of opening reinforced with black web. Fide: Ilse M. Fang, 8/28/2001: Case is silk with cotton padding. Diameter: 21 cm.