Antique Japanese Wa-Sarasa Floral Cotton Textile Panel

Size: Approximately 13.5 by 29.5 inches (34.3 by 74.9 cm)
Japan · Mid-to-late 19th century, late Edo to early Meiji period · Cotton

Muted blue, olive, and ochre fill this Japanese wa-sarasa panel, with rosettes, small flowers, curling stems, and leaves repeating closely across the cotton.

Wa-sarasa is sarasa made in Japan, where dyers adapted imported patterned cotton traditions into multicolor textiles of their own.

On the reverse, the same flowers and stems show through in softer color. There’s enough of the repeat here to follow the design across the panel.

Details

• Technique: Hand dyeing
• Design: Multicolor floral and botanical repeat with rosettes, flowers, stems, and leaves

Condition

It’s in excellent antique condition, with well-preserved color and pattern, light age toning, and irregular cut edges.