Threads of Silk and Gold: Ornamental Textiles from Meiji Japan
9 Nov 2012 – 27 Jan 2013
Highlights from the superb textile collection at the Sannenzaka Museum in Kyoto come to Oxford for this dazzling exhibition.
The first exhibition devoted to Meiji textiles ever to be held outside of Japan, Threads of Silk and Gold brings together some 40 examples of spectacular ornamental textiles produced for the Western market during Japan's Meiji era (1868–1912).
It was a period in which the European Impressionist painters explored themes and styles taken from Japanese art, and in which Japanese decorative craft furnished many Victorian homes. The art of the Meiji era was extraordinarily rich, ranging from ceramics and metalwork to elaborate works in textile: exquisite embroideries, grant tapestries and intricately crafted applique works became some of Japan's best-known exports.