A Cluster of 12 Small Temari: Hand Wound

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
3" x 4" x 3", 7.5 cm x 10 cm x 7.5 cm

This is a cluster of twelve individual temari which have been loosely hand stitched together to keep them as a group. This is an unusual way to present old temari and it is unknown why this group is presented like this: perhaps the stitching is way to store them, so as not to lose any?

Temari, literally “hand ball,” are gifts made for children. 

Temari were originally made from left over yarn or string, both cotton and silk floss were used for the external decoration.

A ball was created from wound threads.  Sometimes a written wish for the child was placed at the center of the ball, or other times some rice grains or a bell were the center of the ball, placed there to create a rattling or jingling noise, depending.

These seem to be all made from botanically dyed cotton yarns and the designs on each of the balls are simple, geometric and floral.

An odd grouping but a rare one.