Print this page

Pillow End (Korea)

Late 19th century embroidered pillow end from Korea. Late 19th century embroidered pillow end from Korea. Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum, London, acc. no. 1850A-1888.

An embroidered pillow end from Korea, dating to the late nineteenth century, is housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It is made of wool embroidered with silk and metal threads. These embroidered ends were sewn onto each end of a soft cylindrical pillow, the embroidery providing stiffness and volume.

This pillow end, with a diameter of 21.5 cm, is embroidered with the Chinese character for happiness. The character is surrounded by five bats, representing long life, riches, health, love of virtue and a natural death.

V&A online catalogue (retrieved 14 July 2016).

WV

Last modified on Wednesday, 15 March 2017 18:52