Asian Art
The textile arts of Asia span a huge geographic area and cover a remarkable array of cultures, components, and forms. Always a favorite among travelers, Asian textiles have been collected in the United States and Europe since the
17th century. Due to their delicate materials, complex construction and often
large size, Asian textiles require special attention.
17th century. Due to their delicate materials, complex construction and often
large size, Asian textiles require special attention.
 Images courtesy Mead Art Museum, Amherst College. |  Surface cleaning before and after.  Stitching metal-thread silk brocade. |
This private collection of Japanese silk kimonos is only occasionally displayed
in order to protect the fragile silk and paint. Museum Textile Services created a photographic catalog of the kimonos, surface cleaned them, and then packed them in archival storage boxes. They are now kept in a climate-controlled room
in the owners' Florida home.
This ten-foot-long Chinese embroidery depicts theater characters. In order to accommodate its length in the owner's house, it was hung from Velcro slats on two adjacent walls.
 | The ukebari, or lining, of this 17th-century Samurai helmet was previously opened in search of a maker's mark. When one is found, a window is left in the lining to allow the mark to be seen. The term for the quilted spiral pattern seen on this ukebari is momo (haiku)-ye-zashi, or "many stitches." |
Learn more in Camille's paper on Preventative Conservation of Samurai Armor.
