A Narrow Length of Tsutsugaki Dyed Cotton: Elaborately Drawn Horse

mid to late nineteenth century
34" x 6 1/2", 66 cm x 16.5 cm

This panel of hand spun, hand woven, indigo dyed cotton shows a rather small scale, very intricately drawn tsutsugaki horse which is elaborately dressed and saddled. At top we see a faded family crest which is that of the tachibana or stylized mandarin orange.

The large size of the family crest indicates that the piece might be from the Edo period as in the subsequent era, the Meiji, family crests were depicted as smaller or more discreet, generally speaking.

The panel is abraded overall, consistent with its good age. 

The horse is posed in a spirited, leaping gesture, as it seems to be galloping or in some sort of flight.

The relatively small scale of the image and the amount of detail compacted into them is impressive and shows a very high level of artistry on the part of the artisan who created these designs.

The result is a forceful yet delicate image, very alluring.

Recommended.