Japanese Works of Art - 23rd November 2021
Lot 1105
A JAPANESE SILK EMBROIDERY BY NISHIMURA SOZAEMON (1855-1935)
Estimate £1,800 - £2,200 | Hammer £3000
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Description
A JAPANESE SILK EMBROIDERY BY NISHIMURA SOZAEMON (1855-1935)
MEIJI PERIOD, C.1910
Depicting two young women illuminated by a paper lantern, one holding a brush and about to write on a sheet of paper, the dimmed light cleverly rendered by minimal stitch work, on a dark chocolate-brown ground, in its original wood and silk frame with chrysanthemum-shaped rings to the sides, the back with an elaborate paper label reading 'S.Nishimura, Kyoto, Japan, Manufacturer of High Class Embroideries, Fancy Cut-velvets and Silk Goods in General', 31.8cm x 43.3cm overall.
Cf. the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Threads of Silk and Gold, Ornamental Textiles from Meiji Japan, pp.154-155 for two related embroideries by Nishimura Sozaemon depicting beauties lit by a weak light.