A Sample Book of 64 Resisted and Stenciled Patterns: Traditional Designs

early twentieth century
when closed: 2 1/4" x 8 1/4" x 3 1/2", 5.5 cm x 21 cm x 9 cm

This is a wonderful, hand made book which comes from the studio of a traditional Japanese textile dyer. The book shows samples that are said to have been intended to be used for making theater costumes.

The book contains swatches of 64 different textile designs, each of them is either stencil resist dyed or stenciled directly on relatively heavy weight cotton. Each one is marvelously graphic in appearance and is historically traditional in its design.

Some of the samples are partially snipped, presumably for the purpose of aiding a customer in planning their costume or project.

This sample book is an encyclopedic resource for textile designers, fashion or costume designers or for anyone interested in Japanese traditional design or sample books and it contains a dizzying variety of wonderful, traditional Japanese designs.

Highly recommended.