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Object Timeline

1925

  • Work on this object ended.

2000

2005

2024

  • You found it!

Sample Book (Japan)

This is a Sample book. It is dated late 19th–early 20th century and we acquired it in 2000. Its medium is paper, printed silk and its technique is samples of printed plain and crepe weaves. It is a part of the Textiles department.

This is one of two Japanese sample books proposed for acquisition. The books date from the late 19th or early 20th century and contain examples of fabric patterned by dyeing techniques. Many of the patterns in the books were produced by applying dye through a stencil. The books were kept in a shop and customers selected the fabric they wanted. The shop owner would then contact the craftsperson and arrange to have the fabric produced. The patterns are exquisite and are examples of very fine craftsmanship. They are full of tiny details that required great skill to achieve.

It is credited Museum purchase from The Grodzins Fund for Textile Acquisition.

  • Mirror
  • japanned wood, mirrored plate glass.
  • Bequest of Mrs. John Innes Kane.
  • 1926-22-230
  • Vanity Case, Plum Blossom
  • enamel, silver, rose-cut and other diamonds, gold, platinum.
  • Lent by Private Collection.
  • 13.2016.46

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 17 x 23.9cm (6 11/16 x 9 7/16in.) 24 pages

Cite this object as

Sample Book (Japan); paper, printed silk; H x W x D: 17 x 23.9cm (6 11/16 x 9 7/16in.) 24 pages; Museum purchase from The Grodzins Fund for Textile Acquisition; 2000-9-1

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18679383/ |title=Sample Book (Japan) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=16 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>