Scroll
Meiji period (1868–1912), c. 1880
Medium
Mount and inner mount: Silk, cotton and gold-leaf-over-lacquered-paper strip, twill weave with plain interlacings of secondary binding warps and patterning wefts; scroll panel: silk and cotton, satin weave; embroidered with silk in Chinese knot, satin, single satin, and stem stitches; laidwork and couching; tying tape: cotton, plain weave
Dimensions
181.7 × 62.6 cm (71 1/2 × 24 5/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
183408
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Scroll, created during Japan's Meiji period (1868–1912) around 1880, exemplifies the era's masterful blend of tradition and innovation in textile arts. As Japan rapidly modernized and opened to Western influences, artisans preserved intricate craftsmanship for ceremonial and decorative purposes. Hanging scrolls like this were prized in homes and temples, often displaying calligraphy, paintings, or embroidery, with luxurious mounts enhancing their display. The artwork's construction is a tour de force of materials and techniques: the mount and inner mount feature silk, cotton, a...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...