Japan / Circa 1900-1930s
Size : W1500 D5 H1700 mm
Item Number : 16_104
Price Upon Request
A remarkable antique Japanese Sakiori textile, dating approximately from the late Meiji to early Showa period, circa 1900–1930s.
Sakiori is a traditional Japanese form of rag weaving in which worn garments and discarded fabrics were torn into narrow strips and rewoven, allowing precious cloth to be reused long beyond its original purpose.
This extraordinary example is composed of numerous fragments of old fabric woven into a richly layered surface. Predominantly muted shades of indigo, blue and grey are interspersed with subtle traces of pink, purple, orange and yellow, creating an exceptionally complex and painterly palette.
Several woven sections have been joined together, with changes in direction, density and color creating an irregular composition across the textile.
What makes this piece particularly compelling, however, is its extensive wear and dramatic loss at the center.
Years of use have caused sections of the weaving to deteriorate and disappear, exposing the underlying warp threads and strips of fabric that once formed the structure of the textile. These loose elements remain suspended across the opening, while frayed fragments and unraveling fibers gather around its edges.
Rather than concealing these signs of age, the textile preserves them completely.
The contrast between densely woven areas and open voids gives the piece an almost sculptural quality. Threads project from the surface, layers separate from one another, and the central opening allows the surrounding space itself to become part of the composition.
Originally created as a humble utilitarian textile, its accumulated wear has transformed it into something remarkably expressive. Viewed today, the irregular geometry, muted colors, exposed fibers and areas of absence evoke the language of modern abstract and fiber art.
An exceptional example of how use, deterioration and the passage of time can unintentionally create an entirely new visual character.
Beautiful displayed as a wall hanging, where its layered texture, exposed threads and dramatic central opening can be fully appreciated.
Origin: Japan
Period: Late Meiji to early Showa period
Date: Circa 1900–1930s
Region: Unknown, possibly Northern Japan
Technique: Sakiori / rag weaving
Material: Primarily repurposed cotton textiles
