Piece of Cloth for Bedding with Pattern of Bamboo
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Plain-weave cotton with warp and weft kasuri (ikat ) patterning
Dimensions
56 x 13 1/4 in. (142.2 x 33.7 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Dyed
Culture
Japan
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Seymour Fund, 1966
Accession Number
66.122.17
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Piece of Cloth for Bedding with Pattern of Bamboo* hails from 19th-century Japan, a time when everyday textiles blended functionality with subtle artistry. Crafted for bedding—likely as a narrow strip for futons or quilts—this plain-weave cotton panel measures 56 x 13¼ inches, reflecting the modular construction of traditional Japanese sleeping arrangements. The delicate bamboo motif evokes resilience and purity, symbols deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where bamboo bends but never breaks, mirroring life's enduring grace. The artwork's standout feature is its warp and weft *...