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American Civil War

Antique Japanese Export Silk Embroidery Panel of American Union

Documentation

Signed

Origin

Japan

Period

19th Century

Materials

silk, wood frame

Dimensions

W.	23.5 in;	H.	27.5 in;	D.	1 in;
W.	59.69 cm;	H.	69.85 cm;	D.	2.54 cm;

Condition

Good. Textile appears in fine condition with minor wear and a few strands of sagging threads. Some residual wear on the lower panel apparently from making as shown. Wood frame appears period or old and shows some expected wear.

Creation Date

1861-63

Description

A rather fascinating silk embroidery panel that depicts an American eagle perched on a shield, with laurel branches and shooting arrows under the feet and American flags on the back. Thirty four large stars are scattered in the background and the word "UNION" is embroidered on a fluttering ribbon.
In 1854, after Matthew C. Perry, the commodore of the United States Navy Perry, succeed in the opening of Japan to the West following the Convention of Kanagawa, Japan ended its isolation and closure to the west for the previous centuries. Seaports such as Nagasaki and Yokohama opened to the trades and foreign visitors such as sailors, businessmen and missionaries. These type of embroideries were produced as "cruise souvenir" to meet the demand of these new clients, typically the sailors from Britain and America. Outwardly American in subject manner, the techniques and methods were traditional Japanese and the work displays superb craftsmanship. Interestingly, these silk panels provide a historical snapshot of the contemporary events in America at the time. The presence of the thirty four stars dated the piece between 1861-1863 before West Virginia joined the union. The word "Union" indicates that it was likely made for a customer from North as that was the time when the civil war raged on the continent (1861-1865). The silk panel is not only a piece of Japanese textile art, it is also a piece of Americana art and a regalia of America history. Consider it was made at the very end of Edo period before Meiji restoration, it is a rare and early piece. The panel itself is 21.5" x 25.5" (sight). 23.5" x 27.5" with frame.
For literature and reference see Threads of Silk and Gold Ornamental Textile from Meiji Japan (Ashmolean): pager 74-81.

Styles / Movements

Asian, Traditional

Patterns

Asian/Oriental, Handmade

Incollect Reference Number

475346