The textile arts of Asia span a huge geographic area and cover a remarkable array of cultures, components and forms. Always a favorite among tourists, 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 requires special attention.
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 manufacturer's mark. When one is found, the lining is typically stitched to allow a window through which the mark can be seen. The term for the quilted spiral pattern seen on this ukebari is momo (haiku)-ye-zashi, or "many stitches."
