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Kesa
Kesa

Kesa

Date18th-19th century
Label TextWorn by a Buddhist holy person, the kesa is a one-piece garment said to be modeled on the robe of the historical Buddha. A meditation mantel, they modestly wrap around the body with one corner draped over the left shoulder. Early kesa were composed of brown or saffron colored scraps of fabric cut from discarded rags and sewn together in a patchwork fashion. By the Edo (1603–1868) and Meiji (1868–1912) periods, kesa were also pieced together from luxurious robes shimmering with precious metallic threads, which had been used in Noh theater productions or worn by members of the imperial court.
Object number33.667
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Going For Gold, November 3, 2012 - December 8, 2013
Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection
Dimensions46 x 81 in. (116.84 x 205.74 cm)
MediumSilk with metallic threads
Photo: Beth Mann
Japanese
18th century
Object number: 33.1827
Kesa
Japanese
19th century
Object number: 33.195
Obi fragment
Japanese
1891-1917
Object number: 33.1421
Embroidered Panel: St. Andrew
Italian (Genoa)
16th century
Object number: 56.70
Panel fragment
French
1730
Object number: 70.72
Textile fragment
French
mid 18th century
Object number: 56.172
Cope
French
18th century
Object number: 33.290
Courtesy of the Galerie Chevalier, Paris
Judocus de Vos
commissioned in 1717
Object number: 2002.38.1
Photo: Susan Cole
Judocus de Vos
commissioned in 1717
Object number: 2002.38.2
Courtesy of the Galerie Chevalier, Paris
Judocus de Vos
commissioned in 1717
Object number: 2002.38.3
Courtesy of the Galerie Chevalier, Paris
Judocus de Vos
commissioned in 1717
Object number: 2002.38.4
Photo: Beth Mann
mid 18th century
Object number: 48.99.1