A Sample Book of Figured Crepe Silk: "Indian Inspired"

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
when closed: 7" x 4 3/4" x 3/4", 17.75 cm x 12 cm x 2 cm

This absolutely beautifully little sample book of so-called "Indian-inspired" (sarasa in Japanese) shows 39 distinct designs arranged in an accordion style binding.

The pages are double-sided and are of a heavy, cardboard-like paper stock. To the present-day, Western eye the designs are not terribly Indian in appearance. In fact, many of the designs are of such a small scale that they are not unlike the small-figured Edo komon patterns popular in Japan in the 19th century.

That said the designs are charming and each is sedate in the color palette used to create it: the tones are mainly greys, whites, rust colors and browns.

The cardboard pages show foxing and yellowing and the book is worn from age and uses. Still this is a wonderful document showing a good number of inspired and inspiring old designs.

Beautiful.