A Odd-Shaped Roof Tile Drawing: Geometry

late nineteenth, early twentieth century  patrick henry bruce with cloud bit
11" x 16", 28 cm x 40.5 cm

This is a hand made ink drawing which comes from the workshop of a roof tile maker in Ise, Japan.

The drawing is done in charcoal-based ink on paper, and the full-scale design is meant as a guide for making the elements which will comprise a traditional tiled roof. 

As might be able to be discerned by looking at the detail photos here, the unusually shaped paper is delicate and is well-creased. The holes in the paper are the result of wear in the service of creating roof tiles.

Please note some smudges of grey clay on the paper--obviously this is the material used to make the roof tiles and they add charm to this abstracted line drawing.

Wonderful.