Stencil

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 19th-century Japanese, crafted from paper and measuring 24¾ x 16¾ inches, offers a glimpse into the refined artistry of traditional fabric dyeing. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Department, it was generously gifted by Bella Mehler in memory of Elsa S. Mehler in 1953. The design, centered on umbrellas—a ubiquitous symbol of protection and elegance in Japanese culture—showcases the precision of *katagami*, stencils made from tough mulberry paper, intricately cut to create repeating patterns. In Edo-period and early Meiji Japan (pre-1912), such stencils were esse...