Chinese Textiles: Developments in Arabesque Designs
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Ban (Buddhist Ritual Banner) "Banner Leg", With paired dragons, flowers and four-petal flower roundels design on dark yellowish green ground, Asuka–Nara period, 7th–8th century
Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 5
June 4, 2019 (Tue) - September 1, 2019 (Sun)The arabesque designs of vines with repeated flowers and leaf patterns are known as palmette. They originated in Western Asia and are thought to have arrived in China and Japan through the Silk Road. This exhibition traces the historical development of arabesque designs and patterns in Chinese textiles. The excellent silk fabrics on display have been highly valued by Japanese collectors since ancient times.
Current exhibit includes:
Gold Brocade Nested lozenge and double-vine large peony arabesque design on light indigo ground, Formerly preserved by the Maeda family, Kaga domain, Ming dynasty, 15th century
Ban (Buddhist Ritual Banner) "Banner Leg", With paired dragons, flowers and four-petal flower roundels design on dark yellowish green ground, Formerly preserved at Horyuiji., Asuka–Nara period, 7th–8th century
Shitozu Sock, Brocade with floral arabesque design on striped ground, Formerly preserved in the Shosoin Repository, Todaiji, Nara period, dated 752