Sleeve border fragment. Pearl grey silk satin, embroidered with a blossoming plum tree, two birds, and bamboo, in chartreuse and pastels. Brown thread on birds has deteriorated. Hems glued later. Length: 69 cm; width: 9 cm. China, att.; Canton area? Background: silk; satin weave. Pattern area: untwisted silk, gold wrapped silk; satin stitch, Chinese knot, couching. Part of a woman's robe worn on special occasions. Mid 19th century Symbolism: Plum blossoms - longevity, winter; Bamboo - longevity Mary V. Hays; S.F., Ca (personal contact). Williams; Outlines of Chinese Symbolism, pp. 24, 296-297
Donor:
Arlene Miller Rolkin
Collection place:
China
Culture or time period:
Chinese
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Sleeve borders
Function:
2.4 Fine Clothes and Accoutrements not used exclusively for status or religious purposes