Large Framed Japanese Embroidery Dragon Tapestry

An impressive Japanese embroidery tapestry circa 1890s Meiji period, presented with brocade border on linen canvas in a lucite shadow box. The stunning design features three dragons coiling and flying in the clouds. The high relief technique used to render the dragons using mostly the silver threads gives this piece a tremendous sense of motion. The most auspicious mythological creature in Japan and China, dragons were a very popular motif in textile art. In this particular piece, it is the impressive size, the superb craftsmanship, the profuse use of silver threads and near perfect condition that set it apart. Japanese Meiji textiles were widely exhibited in the west during turn of the 20th century at the international exposition. It was used to showcase the Japanese aesthetics with the techniques at their pinnacle. These expositions solidified the country's images overseas and fueled the Japonisme craze in the west, which turned out to be a long lasting influence on the western art. Many pieces were purchased and stayed in the west. It is likely this estate piece was from one of the expositions based on its high quality.
For two similar dragon tapestries see the example in Threads of Silk and Gold Ornamental Textile from Meiji Japan Ashmolean: Figure 80 on page 91.
Re-envisioning Japan Meiji Fine Art Textile, John E. Vollmer, page 42-44.
For detailed terminology of embroidery techniques used in this work, please refer to Threads of Silk and Gold Ornamental Textile from Meiji Japan Ashmolean page 86-87.