A Tattered Silk and Paper Temple Banner: Recycled Donated Luxury Silks

**reduced from $75.00**
late nineteenth century
85 1/2" x 10 1/2", 217 cm x 26.5 cm

This long, narrow and elegant banner was hung in a Japanese Buddhist temple; it is made of paper-backed silk.

The four narrow panels which compose this temple decoration are made of gold couched blue silk which is backed with safflower or benibana dyed silk. More than likely this silk was donated to the temple by a member of the congregation.

As can be seen by the detail photos, the tops of two of the four strands have become undone and are almost detached from the curved, firm top piece. More evidence of this can be seen by the view onto the reverse of the piece--please know that this deficit is easily remedied by pinning the streamers in place, or by stitching them into place.

Note as well the tear to the silk on the back of the top piece. As well, note the hand written kanji or Chinese characters which appear on the back of the banner.

A lovely object from old Japan.