Showa Textiles

An impressive Japanese embroidery tapestry circa 1890s Meiji period, presented with brocade border on linen canvas in a Lucite shadow box. The stunning design features three dragons coiling and flying in the clouds. The high relief technique used to render the dragons using mostly the silver threads gives this piece a tremendous sense of motion. The most auspicious mythological creature in Japan and China, dragons were a very popular motif in textile art. In this particular piece, it is the impressive size, the superb craftsmanship, the profuse use of silver threads and near perfect condition that set it apart. Japanese Meiji textiles were widely exhibited in the west during turn of the 20th century at the international exposition. It was used to showcase the Japanese aesthetics with the techniques at their pinnacle. These expositions solidified the country's images overseas and felled the Japanese craze in the west, which turned out to be a long-lasting influence on the western art. Many pieces were purchased and stayed in the west. It is likely this estate piece was from one of the expositions based on its high quality. For two similar dragon tapestries...

A stunning Japanese embroidery tapestry circa 1880s-1900s from late Meiji period, presented with an original wood frame with inner gold trim. The tour-de-force embroidered tapestry s...

In the most technical sense of the word, "Suzani," in Central Asia and Iran, means needle and is used to describe this type of needlework, but to most people, such as decorators or c...

A spectacular Japanese embroidered silk panel beautifully presented in a gilt frame suspended in a lucite shadow box with gilt wood border. The silk picture is dated to 1890-1910s toward the end of Meiji Period, when Japanese started to participate international expose by presenting its best art and craft. Elaborate embroidered silk tapestry like this was very popular among westerners due to its superb craftmanship and also exotic subject matter that was often derived from classic Japanese folklore, mythology and various motifs. The tapestry on offer is such an example. It depicts an old couple...

A massive Japanese embordered tapestry professionally displayed in a custom acrylic shadow box. The fine work of textile art is dated to 1890-1920s, late Meiji (1868-1912) or possibl...

This is a type of rock that is produced in areas such as the Abe River in Shizuoka Prefecture, but it is also found in other regions such as Kanagawa and Chiba. These types of stones...

1700(W)× 1550(D) [mm]　Cotton This is a highly sensitive old folk craft called "BORO" overseas. It was a very poor time, and throwing things away was outrageous. Old cloth that was c...

An antique traditional Japanese Hinamatsuri Ningyo doll for traditional Girls Day celebration, most likely from the Taisho period, 1912 to 1926. The doll depicts a Japanese emperor w...

A wonderful, brightly coloured and somewhat rare fully intact Japanese Buddhist monk/ priest's Kesa ceremonial silk robe. Kesa (which came from the Chinese word "kasaya") robes have been handmade/handstitched by monks/priests as an act of devotion as ceremonial robes for centuries in various Asian cultures (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, etc). The kesa is a rectangular garment designed to be worn over the left shoulder (see example image). The robes are made (often in a patchwork column pattern ranging from five, seven, nine or more pannels) specifically for fully ordained Buddhist monks, priests and nuns and are made from donations of exquisite textiles from wealthy patrons of Japanese Buddhist temples. The robes were used in daily ceremonies, temple gatherings, and private meditation. Antique Kesa robes...

The unique and beautiful fabric piece, that's called noren - traditional Japanese fabric divider that was made during the Meiji era. This traditional Japanese curtains used to divide...

This is an antique silk Azerbaijan embroidery woven during the 18th century and measures 76 x 74CM in size. It has an all-over highly geometric floral design with muted pastel colors...

A visually striking antique Uchikake Wedding Kimono/Robe for ceremonial occasion, circa end of Meiji to Taisho period 1910s-1930s. This bridal outer garment is of a bright red color ...