A Large Silk Drawstring Bag: Botanical Dyes

late nineteenth century
8" x 12" x 12", 20 cm x 30.5 cm x 30.5 cm

This is an attractive drawstring bag that is made of 19th century crepe silks that are all dyed in botanical extracts. There are seven pieces in total which comprise this piece.

Each of the pieces of silk that make up this bag is beautiful in its own right and the colore of those on the bottom of the bag are in very nice compliment to those on the body of the bag. The purple fragment is dyed in gromwell root or shikon as its called in Japan and the orange fragments are more than likely dyed in safflower.

The bag is lined in hand spun, hand woven cotton and the tasseled drawstring seems original to the bag. All the loops that the drawstring passes through are intact.

On one of the brownish silk pieces there is a large, faint stain which is highlighted on the detail photos here.

A good silk pouch with wonderful age and good design.