A Pieced Hemp or Ramie Drawstring Bag: Botanical Dyes

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
7" x 8 1/2" x 8 1/2", 18 cm x 21.5 cm x 21.5 cm

This decorative, hemp or ramie piece-constructed decorative bag is extraordinary in every way.  

Just looking at its complex design is convincing of this as its beautiful color palette that is the result of botanical dyes. The red/pink zigzag or lozenge shape that is the dominant element in the design and that encircles the bag was no doubt dyed in safflower or benibana as it is called in Japan.

Then turn the bag over. The bottom shows a wonderful surprise a piece-constructed image of interlocking triangles, now abraded and showing some loss but graphically appealing and provides a visual bonus.

The bag is composed of at least four different types of kasuri hemp or ramie and two different hemp or ramie stripes. There are color diamond-shaped insets of chirimen or crepe silk around the top of the bag and the entire piece is lined in pale colored kasuri hemp or ramie.

This is an extremely fancy bag which shows an amazing amount of design and execution skill. Its drawstring and their loops are intact and seem original to the bag.

Simply remarkable and covetable.

Recommended.