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Gift cover (fukusa)

Japanese
Meiji era
late 19th century
Object Place: Japan

Medium/Technique Silk; satin-weave ground with silk embroidery (shishû) and gold metallic thread couching (koma-nui)
Dimensions 68 x 84.5 cm (26 3/4 x 33 1/4 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.3997
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsTextiles

DescriptionGift cover (fukusa) with design of linked squares containing various auspicious symbols and patterns, including mandarin ducks, paired magpies, cranes, peonies phoenix and the shell game, in red, green, pink, blue and white silk embroidery (shishû) and gold metallic thread couching (koma-nui) on a dark blue silk satin ground; reddish-orange plain-weave silk backing.
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.