Japanese Fukuro Obi with Floral Medallion Motif

Round peony medallions stack down a rust-red strip like very ornate coins.

This fukuro obi with floral medallion motif is from Japan, and is ca. 1940. It is silk. Silk obi of the early twentieth century were commonly woven on jacquard looms, which allowed repeating motifs such as flowers, crests and geometric medallions to be set across the sash. At a glance, a long narrow textile in rust orange with large circular medallions running down its length. Each medallion holds a layered flower in pale tan and cream with a ringed border. The color is warm and slightly matte against the lighter pattern. It is 11.5 inches wide and 168.5 long.

Circles with plenty of ambition and a firm sense of rhythm.