Valance

Blue and white embroideries are part of a long domestic tradition. Designs vary geographically but are constant within generations of families except for minor individual variations. Often used to decorate the bed which traditionally played a focal part in household ritual particularly at the new year when all household spirits were honored. They are family made, by women, and family owned. These embroideries were of no local commercial value.

utilitarian;household

Phoenix; peace, prosperity. Swastika, supreme good luck. Butterfly; joy, brightness, true love. Pomegranate; offspring, posterity, essence of favorable influences. Lotus; offspring, fruitfulness. Tiger; dignity, sternness, courage.

Blue cloth with blue embroidery of three square motifs and three sided rinceau borders of alternating phoenix and flower motif. Center square motif has centre square with fret border design inside four tigers alternating with flower motif, outside corner butterflies alternating with pomegranates. Square motif on left shows swastikas in centre, surrounded by phoenix, flower, fruit and swastikas, corner motif of five swastikas. Square motif on right shows stylized centre square design surrounded by four pomegranates, flowers and butterflies. Ends hemmed.