Kimono with Checked Pattern

Kimono with Checked Pattern

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This informal women's kimono was formerly in the collection of Edward C. Moore (1827–1891), head designer at Tiffany & Co. from 1868 until his death in 1891. Keenly interested in exotic cultures, Moore collected art and won international awards for his silver designs, including pieces inspired by Japanese art. Notice the subtle in-and-out texture of the cloth of the kimono: the yellow checks seem to be indented while their blue and black borders appear raised. This textured effect permits the fabric to be classified as shijira, one among several types of striped or lattice-patterned textiles sometimes associated with the tea ceremony.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Kimono with Checked PatternKimono with Checked PatternKimono with Checked PatternKimono with Checked PatternKimono with Checked Pattern

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.