Wall hanging made from white cloth embroidered with eight yellow horses. Cloth is commercial twill fabric (polyester/cotton blend?) The embroidery is done in a knot stitch ("French knots"). Horses have black outline, and each has a different symbol on its back, where the saddle would be. Corners have white cord stitched to them for hanging. Bottom edge has light blue fringe sewn on.
Paula Sabloff, Curator at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, says that this was "purchased [in 2001] for a ger bed. Like its crocheted predecessor, it sat between mattress and bed frame so that just the decorative part showed. Like the pillow covers [E432401-E432403] this represents a new style of decoration."
The symbols on the horses' backs are the eight symbols of Buddhism. From left to right they are the umbrella, which protects against anger; the two fishes, which signify freedom, abundance, and regeneration; the vase, which stores good wishes; the lotus, a symbol of purity, health, and redemption; the conch, symbol of the spoken word and doctrine of the Buddha; the endless knot, symbol of longevity; the canopy, symbol of understanding and knowledge; and the wheel of law.
