W300xL250mm, China
When I saw this bag, I felt the tribal craft has really adapted to the new material and function. Carrying on the bold embroidery tradition, it has also made use of fluorescent beads and pom-poms, compartments for wallets and travelling pass.
L250xW70mm, China
This is a pair of embroidery shoes of the Miao tribe (for more about Miao tribe shoes, see our earlier post, Embroidery Shoes). Today I would like to concentrate on the cloth sole of the shoes which is entirely handmade. Before rubber and leather sole became popular in China, most of the soles are made with cloth, it is a common household practice, even mother remembers making shoes for herself in her childhood. Here is mom’s instruction:
W900xH2200mm, China
This silk embroidery painting is a traditional gift for birthday of a lady of high social status. In figure in the embroidery is the saint Ma Gu and the phoenix (queen of all birds) going to give her best wishes the Queen Mother of the West (the supreme head of all female saints) for her birthday. On the tray that she is going to present to the Queen Mother has a few of the magic peaches which are believed to take 3000 years to flower, 3000 to bare fruits and another 3000 years to ripe, a bite of it will make one immortal. The peach is a symbol of longevity, it was also featured in God of Longevity.
Unfortunately the closest we can get to the magic peach is through pottery, carving and paintings, but if you would like to try the worldly version, it is known as the Saturn Peach (Prunus persica f. compressa), they will not make you immortal but they are super delicious.
Embroidery DIA200mm, China
This embroidery is from a silk du dou, a more elaborated version than the one shown in the previous post – du dou. The du dou is the traditional undergarment for the Chinese; it was invented by Nu Wa and Fu Xi, the Chinese version of Adam and Eve and this is their version of the fig leave. The embroidery has a symbolic meaning of fertility; in the center is a baby with a long life locket, under him is is a pomegranate (a fruit of many seeds), over him is a bat (which has the same pronunciation as “blessing”)
L250xW350mm, China
Du Dou is the traditional Chinese undergarment to be worn on the upper part of the body. The top will be hang around the neck by a ribbon while the side is tied around the body by another ribbon. It is usually made by the female for their lovers, hubby, children or for their own use. The one used by the female are usually a simple red cloth without any embroidery, the one for the lover are more elaborated the theme for the embroidery will be some love story from opera, legends etc. The embroidery made for the children are that of blessing, zodiac signs, etc.
CIR650xH650mm, China
The pleated dress is part of the female Miao tribe costume. The legend of the pleated dress goes like this; once upon a time, there was a handsome Miao hunter, one day he caught a beautiful golden pheasant and he gave it as a gift to the girl he was in love with. The girl, Ah Beng, looking at the golden pheasant and decided to make herself as beautiful as the bird, so she weaved a cloth added embroidery and made herself a pleated dress. The neighbors saw how beautiful she looked and soon everyone started dressing with amazing pleated dresses.
W600xL600mm, China
This cushion cover is made with the “seat” portion of a baby carrier used by the Miao tribe. Baby carrier has been a both a functional and symbolical item in China; it enables mothers to go to the fields while keeping the baby by their side, traditionally mothers will sew the carrier by hand, the embroidery on the carrier embedded symbols of blessing extending their love for the child. With the modernisation of China, hand stitch baby carrier can only be found among the minority tribes.
W75xH200mm, China
This small piece of silk embroidery (which we have framed) was taken from a children’s underwear (Du Dou). The Du Dou is an undergarment for cover the chest and tummy, its a rectangular or square piece of cloth to be worn diagonally with the top corner trimmed for the neck. 2 strings affixed to the top corner is tied around the neck while the 2 strings attached to the side corners are tied around the back. The embroidery patterns for children are of the theme of blessing; tiger is one of them. Tiger is seen as an animal of strength and power, it has been worship for its protection; it is believed that evils will be frighten away when embroidery that has been wrapped around a child. The tiger Du Dou is traditionally worn by all the children and babies on Duan Wu (the day of ills).
W100xH170mm, China
Since the Siu dynasty 605 AD, China has developed a system in the selection of her officials basing on a literature examination, this system continued till the last examination held in 1905. By the Tang dynasty, the examination system was very refined; divided into several parts they are held at interval within a year, 50 topics are covered, all the examination will be overseen by the . By passing the test, one gain the title of the test. At the final stage, a selected few will be given questions set by the Emperor himself. The top scholar, Zhuang Yuan, from the final exam will be paraded in the town of Beijing which is what this embroidery is depicting. This embroidery is taken out from a large embroidery, something like a curtain, we have framed it as a painting.
W100xL300mm, China
This is a silk embroidered wallet, He Bao (荷包). For a long time, I thought the word He has to do with lotus (荷花) but in fact its from the word (负荷) – loading. In the old days (this going back to Han dynasty), there are no pockets in the Chinese costumes, these He Bao are developed to keep essential items such as the seal, money, handkerchiefs, etc. In the beginning they are more of a concept for a small sack that are made of leather, can be hung by the waist, carried by hand or as a small rucksack. By Qing dynasty, they became a popular fashion accessory, made of silk and embroidered. They will be hang or kept at the waist band, apart from the wallet, the fashionable gentleman would also have in his waist band, a hand fan, aromatic sac, pocket knife etc. This is folding He Bao, one of the embroidery side would hang out of the waist band while the other 2 flaps securely tuck in. Embroidered on the wallets are word of blessings; happiness, good fortune, longevity, 5 generations together.
Mountain Folkcraft 