Metropolitan Museum of Art Katagami Butterflies Jacquard Shawl Scarf Wool Silk

Metropolitan Museum of Art Katagami Butterflies Jacquard Shawl Scarf Wool Silk
Exclusively for The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Measurements including fringe: L 77.5 inches x W 21.75 inches

The hand-cut stencil paper known as katagami was used to make patterns for resist-dyeing of Japanese kimonos and other textiles. During the Edo period (1615-1868), stencil-patterned textiles became increasingly elaborate and costly. Because the kimono drapes from front to back with no shoulder seams, the stenciled imagery faced both up and down, so as to be readable on two sides. While these stencils and the skilled craftsmen who created them produced exquisite results on fabric, the stencils can be considered works of art in their own right, often showing breathtaking intricacy. This shawl is based on a beautiful 19th century katagami in the Museum's collection. (See last photo on listing for original stencil).

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