Kimono with Diamonds, 1930s-50s. Machine-spun plain weave pongee silk (meisen) with resist-dyed threads, Overall: 151.1 x 125.1 cm (59 1/2 x 49 1/4 in.). Gift of Julia Meech, 2020.85. Copyrighted.

Kimono with Diamonds

1930s-50s

Maker Unknown

Japanese Art

Kimono with Diamonds, 1930s-50s. Japan, Shōwa period (1926-89). Machine-spun plain weave pongee silk (meisen) with resist-dyed threads; overall: 151.1 x 125.1 cm (59 1/2 x 49 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Julia Meech 2020.85 Composed of diamonds in black, white, red, and light brown, the bold designs of this meisen kimono are distinctively modern. Meisen generally refers to a type of fabric produced in the Kantō region of Japan between the mid-1800s and mid-1900s. It was made of a variety of materials, including silk woven from imperfect fibers, machine-spun silk, and even rayon. Kasuri is the Japanese term for ikat, which means forming patterns with pre-dyed threads.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Textile
Formatted Medium: Machine-spun plain weave pongee silk (meisen) with resist-dyed threads
Medium: machine-spun, plain, weave, pongee, silk, meisen, resist-dyed, threads
Dimensions: Overall: 151.1 x 125.1 cm (59 1/2 x 49 1/4 in.)
Departments: Japanese Art
Accession Number: 2020.85
Credit Line: Gift of Julia Meech
Rights Statement: Copyrighted