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Birthday banner
Artist:
China
Date: late 19th or early 20th century
Medium: silk satin with gold and silk embroidered thread.
Classification: Visual Works
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Ranson H. Holcomb
Object number: 1970.18.20
DescriptionBirthday banner with the Long Life (Shou) character. The central motif is a calligraphic character meaning "long life," an appropriate birthday wish. The background and the borders are embroidered with fanciful flying bats often used as a decorative motif because the Chinese character of happiness (fu) and the final character of bat (pien-fu) have the same sound. Butterflies, symbolizing "legth of days," fruiting gourds, symbolizing birth. The "Three Friends of Winter," the pine, baboo, and plum, embroidered on the longevity character were associated with fortitude and respect for old age. Major birthday celebrations for men and women began at the age of fifty and grew in size and significance, especially to mark the beginning of a new decade. In addition to banners, thre were longevity candles, noodles and cakes. Center red satin ground, border of tan. Lined in flowered cotton fabric.
Not on view
In Collection(s)
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