Untitled

Unknown

18th century · Lampas, silk; squares:silk satin, brocaded, silk and gilt paper-wrapped thread · Asian Art

This patchwork-patterned Japanese Buddhist vestment (kesa) was made from Chinese cloth intended for the European market. The primary textile attempts to emulate European lace-patterned woven silks, but the composition is somewhat awkward compared to actual European examples. The six red squares—with their dragon roundels, clouds, and flowers—are more characteristically Chinese in style. While the European style of the cloth is unexpected, the Japanese had been using exotic Chinese textiles for kesa for centuries. cat. no. 62

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Lampas, silk; squares:silk satin, brocaded, silk and gilt paper-wrapped thread

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1919