Kesa
Early or mid–19th century, Edo period (1789–1868)
Medium
Silk and gilt-paper strip; twill and satin weaves with secondary binding warps and supplementary patterning wefts
Dimensions
96.8 × 191.8 cm (38 1/8 × 75 1/4 in.); Repeat: 19 × 13.3 cm (7 1/2 × 3 1/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
183157
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This attractive vestment is a good example of adaptive reuse. The pattern of the main fabric was originally used for hangings and furniture covers, and the presence of soil lines and mended areas suggests that this piece had been used as a cover. Multiple seams in the border fabric as well as the incorporation of the six squares in different material in place ofrather than on top ofthe main fabric indicate that the principal fabric was in short supply and had to be pieced judiciously.
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...