A Pictorial Piece Constructed Silk Bag: Charming Figures and Scene

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
5 3/4" x 8" x 8", 14.5 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm

What an amazingly artfully made old kinchaku or a traditional drawstring bag. 

It shows scenes of ancient court life either in Heian period Japan or what might be Tang dynasty China--or a hybrid of both.

Each of the images is pieced by hand and each is of a different type of silk, from brocade to flat weave to crepe.  The drawstring seems original to the bag.

The courtly scene wraps all the way around the bag, the figures are large and are detailed with hand painting.

The bottom of the bag shows an astral or angelic figure who is playing the Chinese musical reed instrument called the sheng.

This bag is so entirely delightful to look at and so unbelievably well-done with intense details and piecing that it is a joy to behold and will clearly give great joy over a long period of time. Please note some (understandable) small areas of loss to the silk, the result of age and wear.

Recommended.