Kesa

Textiles

19th century, Edo period (1789–1868)/ Meiji period (1868–1912)

Japan

While this work may initially appear to be a decorative hanging showing various forms of marine life, closer inspection reveals that it is indeed a kesa pieced into a composition of seven columns. The embroidered decoration is not aquatic at all but rather consists of three varieties of motifsa phoenix, Paulownia flowers and leaves, and the family crest of the Tokugawa family, which ruled Japan during the Edo period. From each of these motifs emerge three or four curving tendrils. Unpatterned areas were planned to fall in the folds when the kesa was worn.

Status: Currently Off View
Department: Textiles

Title: Kesa
Place: Japan (Object made in)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: Made 1801–1900
Medium: Silk; plain weave self-patterned by rows of gauze crossings, embroidered with silk
Dimensions: 109.6 × 176.8 cm (43 1/8 × 69 5/8 in.)
Credit Line: Gift of Ralph E. Hays in memory of Mary Van Artsdalen Hays
Reference Number: 2004.983
IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.: https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/183116/manifest.json

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Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.