Stencil with Pine Boughs and Waterfall

Stencil with Pine Boughs and Waterfall

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This pictorial stencil includes two waterfalls. One originates at the top of the stencil and falls down, while the other begins at the bottom and rises: the pattern has a dual orientation. This design strategy is very common in stencils, especially those meant to produce cloth for traditional Japanese dress, which has no shoulder seams. A design without a top or bottom permits the pattern of the fabric to be oriented correctly on both the front and back of the garment.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Stencil with Pine Boughs and WaterfallStencil with Pine Boughs and WaterfallStencil with Pine Boughs and WaterfallStencil with Pine Boughs and WaterfallStencil with Pine Boughs and Waterfall

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.