Obi
1800-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Kimono, the traditional garment of Japan, are secured with a long waist-sash called an obi. In the 19th century, when this example was made, women's obi were very wide and often elaborately woven or embroidered. Obi formed an important part of a costume and were tied, usually at the back, in a variety of styles.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silk velvet with embroidery in silk and gold metallic thread |
| Brief description | Obi, yellow silk velvet with coloured silk embroidery and gold thread, Japan, Edo period, early 19th century |
| Physical description | Obi of yellow cut silk velvet with designs embroidered on both sides in shades of green, orange, purple and gold metallic thread. The flowers depicted are peonies, paulownia and wisteria and within each floral grouping there is a lozenge and ox-cart wheel motif. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | Kimono are secured around the waist with an obi. In the 18th century, those for women became much wider and more exuberant. They were often made of richly woven brocade, but the most elaborate were embroidered. Obi do not survive in large numbers. They were easily damaged by frequent tying and were not treasured and preserved in the same way as luxury kimono. |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs J Douglas Watson |
| Object history | Registered File number 1973/1886. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Kimono, the traditional garment of Japan, are secured with a long waist-sash called an obi. In the 19th century, when this example was made, women's obi were very wide and often elaborately woven or embroidered. Obi formed an important part of a costume and were tied, usually at the back, in a variety of styles. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.23-1973 |
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| Record created | February 24, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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