A Beautifully Pieced Silk and Ramie Bag: Broken Drawstring

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
as shown: 6" x 7" x 7", 15 cm x 18 cm x 18 cm

This amazingly charming and colorful drawstring bag is made of blue and white kasuri hemp or ramie cloth which is interspersed with colorful chirimen or crepe silk pieces. The result is nothing short of wonderful.

This is a drawstring bag but unfortunately the loops used to thread the drawstring have all broken so the bag cannot be displayed as it was meant to be. If you are good with such things you could attempt to re-do the loops but as it is it is still a lovely thing to look at. 

The bottom is wonderfully designed and its colors of lavender, orange, blue and white are unusual. The "pinwheel" design is striking and beautifully executed.

This is a super charming small bag with good age and, of course, a spectacularly conceived design.