SOLD

Jinbaori for an idol
Late 19th c.

Jinbaori were originally worn by a Samuri over armour. During the Edo period they became a purely decorative garment. This piece was probably worn by a small idol at the Boys Festival.

Having never seen anything like this before I took it to the Victoria and Albert Museum Japanese department who also had never seen one and marvelled at its quality. This is really a work of art. Fantastic quality and very rare.
This would look wonderful suspended in a perspex frame. I can get this done for you if you wish.

Cataloguing

made for the Boys Festival on 5th May, the neck with high collar and fine gold plaited edging, the shoulders with red broadcloth (wool) couched with gold wrapped silk spots (foam) within hexagons, all edged with same gold plaiting, the front revers of pale creamy brown/apricot brocade woven with slate blue, gold and sage green flowers and motifs, caught with shaded blue plaited fastenings and pewter coloured buttons, fastening across chest comprising two flaps, with very finely ribbed ivory silk, the front sides embroidered with very fine silk cord, pale blue shading to ivory, with lively waves and gold wrapped silk spots of different sizes, the back with a winged dragon in coral, taupe, bluegreen and mid green silks in intricate stitches, some slightly raised, and gold wrapped silk couching, above boisterous waves and gold spots, the sides with apricot corded bindings, lined with gold brocade woven with dragon roundels, 11 ? in. d x 7 in. widest.

Condition

Button on front fastening missing. Very slightly grubby silk to very top on the back. There are a couple of pin pricks to back of collar. The front silk is also just a little grubby