{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O165081"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O165081/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BF2822/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BF2822/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BF2822","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O165081/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O165081","accessionNumber":"T.44D-1952","objectType":"Sedan curtain","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"In a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, the bride would have been transported on a sedan chair from her parents' home to the groom's home, where the ceremony takes place. In the southern regions of China, sedan chairs tended to be constructed entirely of wood. In the north, wooden frames enclosed silk panels to form the bridal chair. This pair of bridal curtains perform the function of a doorway to the chair, and would have hung at the front where the bride mounted or dismounted. \r\n\r\nThe curtain is embroidered with the <i>double-happiness,</i> motif and auspicious symbols such as the phoenix (a symbol of peace when not used in the context of royalty), <i>ruyi</i> (\"as you wish\") clouds, bats (symbolising good fortune) and peaches (for longevity). The subtly adopted waves and rock motif on the attached streamers suggest a possible link with civil authority.","physicalDescription":"Streamer for the end of a palanquin, of embroidered red silk satin. The design, on both front and back, shows two phoenixes facing each other on either side of a Double Happiness (<i>shuangxi</i>) character, which is executed entirely in gilt metal thread. This is surrounded by bats holding Rhinoceros Horn Cups, swastikas, peaches of longevity and the Sword of Lu.\r\n\r\nSurmounting the main panel is a flap on both front and back embroidered with a similar design. A narrow streamer hangs down the middle of each half of the panel on both front and back and is embroidered with clouds, bats, swastikas and water motifs. At the outer edges are four short streamers of plain red satin sewn at the edge of the upper flap. There are two bound yellow silk plaited tying cords at the top.\r\n\r\nThe streamer is divided into two parts down the centre.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silk textile","id":"AAT243428"},{"text":"silk thread","id":"x30127"},{"text":"silver thread","id":"x29414"}],"techniques":[{"text":"satin-weave","id":"x37324"},{"text":"embroidering","id":"AAT53653"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Satin-weave silk; embroidering with silk and silver threads","categories":[{"text":"Textiles","id":"THES48885"},{"text":"Embroidery","id":"THES48960"},{"text":"Marriage","id":"THES48921"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2006BF2822"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"006","id":"THES313048"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Sedan curtain","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"China","id":"x29398"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1870-1930","earliest":"1870-01-01","latest":"1930-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Sir Steven Runciman","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"40","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"23.5","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Sedan curtain, satin-weave silk; embroidering with silk and silver threads, China, 1870-1930","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"bats","id":"x30092"},{"text":"clouds","id":"x30091"},{"text":"peaches","id":"x31068"},{"text":"phoenix","id":"x34610"},{"text":"rocks","id":"AAT11692"},{"text":"waves","id":"x31556"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["T.44D-1952"],"accessionNumberNum":"44","accessionNumberPrefix":"T","accessionYear":1952,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-01-01","recordCreationDate":"2008-08-06","availableToBook":true}}