Red-fronted, almost oval purse. Back: two layers of coarse, unbleached cotton fabric which also constitutes the lining of the front. Front: fine scarlet silk satin over black broadcloth, framed in embroidered faded light blue and black diamond pattern. This frame holds together front and back over more than half the height, the top covering only the front. The ends of the top opening secured with unbleached coarse cotton webbing. No signs of a former existence of carrying straps. Embroidery in satin and Peking knot stitch in black and various shades of grey and blue. Pattern: two butterflies flanking a peony. Fide: Ilse Fang, 8/28/2001: Coarser stitching, fewer Peking knots mark this embroidery as less fine than that in some other pieces. Probably made by a mother or sister; commercial factories were only for finer things; otherwise, they were done by the women of the house. Around edge may by ribbon; different types of ribbons sometimes used on things; or, it may be embroidery. Can’t tell which here. Width at tabs: 14 cm. Height: 9.5 cm.
Donor:
Ilse Martin Fang
Collection place:
Peking, Beijing province, China
Verbatim coll. place:
China. Purchased by Ilse Fang in Peking.
Culture or time period:
Chinese
Collector:
Ilse Martin Fang
Collection date:
1943
Materials:
Cotton (textile) and Silk
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Embroidery (visual works) and Purses (drawstringed accessories)