Stencil

Unknown Artist

19th century

Stencil by Unknown Artist

Medium

Paper

Dimensions

11 1/4 x 16 in. (28.6 x 40.6 cm)

Classification

Stencils

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Horace Havemeyer, 1942

Accession Number

42.91.138

Tags

Flowers

Art Historical Context

This delicate 19th-century Japanese, crafted on paper and measuring 11¼ x 16 inches, the intricate artistry of katagami—hand-cut templates used in katazome, a resist-dyeing technique for textiles kimonos. Produced during Japan's Edo or early Meiji period, when floral motifs flourished in decorative arts, this piece likely features blooming flowers, symbols of seasonal beauty and transience in Japanese aesthetics. precise cuts, often reinforced with silk threads to prevent tearing, allowed artisans to transfer vibrant patterns onto fabric with remarkable fidelity. As a tool of everyday craft e...

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