Three Pieces of 19th Century Silks: Hand Stitched Narrow Slivers

mid to late nineteenth century
Three pieces laid next to each other as shown: 35" x 25", 89 cm x 63.5 cm

This beautifully colored and figured piece-constructed silk collage--which is composed of three, separate silk blocks-- is taken from a yose juban, a pieced undergarment which was a typical style undergarment worn by women in old Japan.  The three separate pieces are laid side-by-side here to give an illusion that it is one piece, but it is not.

The silks which compose this are all extremely lightweight and thin; there is very little body to them and they literally flutter in the breeze.  But each piece is wonderfully designed and executed, and they are all hand resist dyed using botanical dye material, with the exception of the red piece, which is likely a synthetic dye.

About eight different patterns of silk are hand stitched together using silk thread, including two small pieces of itajime dyed crepe silk.

A vibrant collage old silks that would be absolutely beautiful if framed, this is a wonderful textile study piece from old Japan.