Fukusa (Gift Cover)
1800-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In Japan, the crane is one of the most popular and auspicious motifs and often features on celebratory textiles such as this fukusa, or gift cover. Admired for its beauty, the bird is said to live for a thousand years and inhabit the land of the immortals. In the story Tsuru no Ongaeshi ('The Crane Returns the Favour'), the crane features as the heroine who, disguised as a mortal, serves as a loving wife. The crane on this embroidered fukusa is shown flying low above rocks and crashing waves, the spray from the latter forming a golden arc around the bird. The energy of the scene is enhanced by the ground fabric which is woven with scrolling peonies.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Embroidered silk with silk and gold-wrapped threads |
| Brief description | Fukusa (gift cover) of silk embroidered with silk and gold-wrapped threads, Japan, 1800-1850 |
| Physical description | Fukusa (gift cover) of figured silk woven with a design of peonies and scrolling vines; embroidered in coloured silks and gold-wrapped thread in long and short, laid, stem and satin stitches with couched work. The design depicts a crane above rocks and waves. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Miss Gladys Saumarez |
| Object history | This fukusa was given to the museum by Gladys Saumarez whose father James, 4th Baron Saumarez, was a captain in the Grenadier Guards before joining the Diplomatic Service in 1867. In 1875 he was posted to Japan so it may have been him who originally acquired the textile. |
| Summary | In Japan, the crane is one of the most popular and auspicious motifs and often features on celebratory textiles such as this fukusa, or gift cover. Admired for its beauty, the bird is said to live for a thousand years and inhabit the land of the immortals. In the story Tsuru no Ongaeshi ('The Crane Returns the Favour'), the crane features as the heroine who, disguised as a mortal, serves as a loving wife. The crane on this embroidered fukusa is shown flying low above rocks and crashing waves, the spray from the latter forming a golden arc around the bird. The energy of the scene is enhanced by the ground fabric which is woven with scrolling peonies. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.88-1968 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
