ITEM 16521
Purple mōsen with redish-orange shibori
Fabric made in Central Asia, dyework done in Japan
Late 18th century–early 19th century
Rasha (wool felt); shibori (tie-dye)
77 × 47 in. (195.5 x 119.4 cm)
This is a mōsen 毛氈 (felt rug) from the late eighteenth / early 19th century. Mōsen are dyed bright colors, and this textile features a background of purple with small and large roundels in white and augmented with red dye. These roundels were created by tie-dyeing (shibori 絞り).
Most wool felt was made in China or Mongolia. Regardless of where the textile was made, the shibori dye work was always done after export in Japan. Most surviving examples of mōsen show extreme wear due to frequent use as a floor covering at the entrance of the tea ceremony. This example is in perfect condition.
Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. “Mosen, 2005.2.1.” http://collection.
