Simon Mattacks
speaker
2,981 appearances
17 recordings
3 series
first heard Dec 2024
last heard 13 Sep
Simon Mattacks’s voice in public audio — every appearance, attributed to the second.
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recordings per month · last 12 monthsRecordings per month over the last 12 months — 14 in all, peaking in Aug 2026 with 3.
Appearances
The tale of the children sheltering from the rain with lotus leaves is just one story.
Another one involves a craftsman being given the idea by his wife.
But whatever the real story, the umbrella became a welcome accessory in society, and it quickly gained popularity with those in high standing.
The earliest umbrellas were called gai in the Chinese language, which means lid or cover.
The frames and ribs were made with bamboo sticks or mulberry bark, while the canopies were generally made of silk, cloth, or paper.
The paper was usually waxed and lacquered as this helped with waterproofing.
This advancement was important as umbrellas were frequently used during ceremonies.
They were mounted to the tops of imperial carriages to shade the people being transported.
Evidence of this was discovered in the 1980s, when an ancient artifact, which became known as the Qin Bronze Chariot, was unearthed in China.
It is said to date back to around 210 BCE.
The impressive model carriage is being drawn by four horses with a large umbrella positioned above the driver's head.
This device was remarkably sophisticated with a flexible handle that could be rotated.
Umbrellas also had their own hierarchical status.
During the Han Dynasty, between 206 BCE and 220 CE, they were manufactured in different sizes, colors, and materials, all of which had special meanings.
Umbrellas, much like the colors of roof tiles at the time, became an indicator of rank and social status.
Common folks were only permitted to walk around carrying blue umbrellas, while red and yellow ones were reserved for royalty.
The finest umbrellas were said to come from Hunan or Fujian, as both areas were renowned for their craftsmanship and vibrant patterns.
Fuzhou paper umbrellas had to be made from bamboo that was at least five years old to maintain elasticity.
And before the umbrella was deemed fit for use, there were more than 80 individual processes to undertake.
The paper covers were hand-painted with flowers and birds or Chinese landscapes.
Showing 2121–2140 of 2,981 · page 107 of 150
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