Antique Japanese Export Silk Embroidery Americana Patriotic Panel

Description

A silk embroidery panel that depicts an American eagle perched on the liberty shield, with laurel branches and shooting arrows … more A silk embroidery panel that depicts an American eagle perched on the liberty shield, with laurel branches and shooting arrows under the feet and flanked by four American flags and banners on the back. Thirty six large stars are scattered on the flags and the motto "E. Pluribus Unum" is embroidered on a fluttering ribbon.
In 1854, after Matthew C. Perry, the commodore of the United States Navy Perry, succeed in the opening of Japan to the West following the Convention of Kanagawa, Japan ended its isolation and closure to the west for the previous centuries. Seaports such as Nagasaki and Yokohama opened to the trades and foreign visitors such as sailors, businessmen and missionaries. These type of embroideries were produced as "cruise souvenir" to meet the demand of these new clients, typically the sailors from Britain and America. Outwardly American in subject manner, the techniques and methods were traditional Japanese and the work displays superb craftsmanship. Interestingly, these silk panels provide a historical snapshot of the contemporary events in America at the time. The presence of the thirty six stars dated the piece between 1865-1867, shortly after the Civil War. "E. Pluribus Unum" (Out of many, one) was the de facto motto of the United States from its early history until 1956.
The silk panel is not only a piece of Japanese textile art, it is also a great regalia of America history.
For literature and reference see Threads of Silk and Gold Ornamental Textile from Meiji Japan (Ashmolean): pager 74. less