2005.5.85 - Yellow and Cream Embroidered Silk Belt Purse
Mactaggart Art Collection Read more about this collection »
Object Typepurse
Artistunknown
Date Madedate unknown
Item Details
Object Typepurse
Artistunknown
Date Madedate unknown
Accession Number
2005.5.85
Title
Yellow and Cream Embroidered Silk Belt Purse
Category
costume accessories
Object Type
purse
Artist
unknown
Date Made
date unknown
Place Made
China
Culture
Chinese
Period
Qing 19th century
Materials
gold wrapped silk thread; linen; silk floss; silk satin; cardboard; embroidery
Materials Glossary
Embroidery
View Materials Glossary Details »
Measurements
overall: 27.3 cm x 8.6 cm x .5 cm
Description
Blue silk satin purse with yellow and cream embroidered panels. Both sides of the purse feature a praying mantis, rendered in delicate, multicoloured chain stitching. Surrounding the praying mantis are multicoloured…
Blue silk satin purse with yellow and cream embroidered panels. Both sides of the purse feature a praying mantis, rendered in delicate, multicoloured chain stitching. Surrounding the praying mantis are multicoloured floral motifs and flowering gourds, hu lu, which have a homophonous pronunciation of “happiness” and “wealth” in Mandarin. This type of purse is a da lian, or money purse, and it would have been attached to a belt worn around a man's waist. As mens garments did not have pockets, they kept all of their everyday essentials, including fan cases, spectacle cases, tobacco pouch, watch purse, brush holder, and a case for visiting cards on these belts. The praying mantis, tang lang, relates to a house full of treasures and represents wealth or fortune.
Credit Line
Gift of Sandy and Cécile Mactaggart
Citation
Page Citation for 2005.5.85 - Yellow and Cream Embroidered Silk Belt Purse
Page Citation
"2005.5.85 - Yellow and Cream Embroidered Silk Belt Purse, Mactaggart Art Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/21-19307. Accessed 22 Jun. 2024.
