Ainu Robe

Ainu Robe

late 1800s to early 1900s
Culture
Ainu
Country
Japan
Style/Tradition
Hokkaido
Object
robe
Medium
Fabric woven of inner elm bark and nettle; appliqué cotton remnants and cotton embroidery
Accession Number
2000.228
Credit Line
Neusteter Textile Collection: Gift of the Nathan Rubin-Ida Ladd Family Foundation
Ainu Robe. late 1800s to early 1900s. Fabric woven of inner elm bark and nettle; appliqué cotton remnants and cotton embroidery. Neusteter Textile Collection: Gift of the Nathan Rubin-Ida Ladd Family Foundation. 2000.228.
Dimensions
length: 50 in, 127.0000 cm; width: 55 in, 139.7000 cm
Department
Avenir Institute of Textile Arts and Fashion
Collection
Textile Arts and Fashion-Asian
Among the Ainu, an indigenous north Pacific people, women were responsible for the production of cloth and clothing. These characteristic bold patterns were passed down along maternal lines. Although various meanings have been suggested for these motifs, elderly Ainu women assert they have no purpose other than to please the gods.
Known Provenance
(Donald Ellis Gallery), Toronto, Canada; Nathan Rubin-Ida Ladd Family Foundation, Georgetown, CT., 2000; gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 2000.