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Kesa

A work made of silk and gilt-paper strip; twill and satin weaves with secondary binding warps and supplementary patterning wefts.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of silk and gilt-paper strip; twill and satin weaves with secondary binding warps and supplementary patterning wefts.

Date:

17th century, Edo period (1615–1868)

Artist:

Japan

About this artwork

The Chinese method for making gold “thread” out of paper coated with lacquer, finished with a layer of gold leaf, and cut into very fine strips was admired greatly by the Japanese but wasn’t adopted in Japan until the late 16th century. Until then, and even after, Chinese textiles utilizing this kinran thread were imported into Japan. The term kinran is also applied to a specific type of textile made in Japan, usually at Nishijin, in Kyoto, that typically displays floral patterns in gold against silk in a dark color. This example features peony blossoms with a lotus pod in the center.

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 1615–1699

Medium

Silk and gilt-paper strip; twill and satin weaves with secondary binding warps and supplementary patterning wefts

Dimensions

99.2 × 165.1 cm (39 × 65 in.); Warp repeat: H.: 44.2 cm (17 3/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Ralph E. Hays in memory of Mary Van Artsdalen Hays

Reference Number

2004.1008

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/183145/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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