Description
This is a rare and unusual Wedding Collar that an upper class Japanese woman would create to be attached to the leading edge of her wedding kimono. Few of these delicate collars have survived to the present time, since most were so badly soiled from the bride’s cosmetics that they have disintegrated. Only in very exceptional cases have both sides of a collar been preserved. Each end of this collar has a matching embroidery that would show at the bride’s neckline, while the undecorated central area remained hidden behind her neck. This elegant collar has been hand woven of Chirimen Silk and then hand embroidered in a rare shade of Pink Silk with additional highlights of both hand made yellow and white gold threads that have been “Couched” to the Collar. These precious threads are prepared by first painting a layer of liquid gold on thin, hand made paper, and wrapping it around several threads of Silk. Because of its delicacy, it could not be sewn into the fabric; but was, instead, “Couched” by being laid on top of the fabric, and then hand stitched to it.
These wonderful Plum Blossoms, “Ume,” appeared in the latter part of the winter and were much loved by Heian Era poets and scholars as they portrayed a delicate and fragile beauty. Because their blossoms appeared early in the year, they were impervious to the lingering winter chills, and, thus, took on the characteristic of bravery that endeared them in Japanese hearts. Consequently, this collar would symbolize a late winter wedding wherein the bride displayed her wish for a strong and resilient marriage; one that would withstand the hardships of winter and herald the coming of spring.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental United States.
