Textile Hanging with Chrysanthemums and Cranes

Large-scale textiles with bird and flower subjects in various techniques started to feature prominently in exhibitions of the mid-1890s. The design of this large wall hanging accords approximately with the garbled English description of a piece offered for sale in Calcutta in March, 1904, by the leading textile dealer, Nomura Shojiro: '502. Palace hanging. Chrysanthemum on back ground of twisted gold thread work, near top the hanging is a landscape showing cottages among the pine tree, executed by Mr. Ikutaro Yamada after design by artist Kiho, Miki, a famous artist in Kioto this is the most important piece in the collection.' Somewhat unusually, the present hanging bears the name of the embroiderer. This is not Yamada but Maeda, who made another of the pieces in the Calcutta sale: '519. Embr'd hanging, phonics bird of Paradise, resting on pine tree, entire space covered with genuine gold thread, designed by Miki, a famous artist in Kyoto, executed by Mr Mayeda.'