A Small Pieced Drawstring Bag of Crepe Silks: All Botanical Dyes

mid to late nineteenth century
3 1/2" x 5" x 5", 9 cm x 12.75 cm x 12.75 cm

This small, intensely pieces drawstring bag is hand stitched from around 53 individual pieces of chirimen or crepe silk, each of them dating from the mid to late nineteenth century and each of them dyed in natural dyes.

Please note there is one rather prominent section where the silk has worn off or has been torn off and what is seen is the paper that has been used to back this piece during making.

This bag is a delight for the eyes and certainly will be fascinating for those who are interested in natural dyes, hand piecing or old Japanese fabrics and 19th century culture.

As can be discerned by the tonal quality of the colors all the dyes used are natural. This also indicates that the cloth on the bag dates to the mid nineteenth century prior to the introduction of synthetic dyes from Europe. Please note some of the hand resisted and patterned pieces, each of them a little piece of art.

This is a splendid little bag--about the size of a grapefruit--with some wear and loss but overall it is a wonderful collection of naturally dyed silks which are beautifully arranged and stitched. The drawstring might very possibly be original to the bag.

A little treasure trove of old cloth.