Important and Unique Manuscript Catalogue Album of Japanese Folding Screens (Byobu) with 55 exquisite, hand-drawn and hand-coloured designs
Absolutely stunning manuscript of hand-drawn and hand-coloured designs of Japanese folding screens or byobu, presumably for export. There are 55 designs on 22 large leaves bound in more recent boards with an old title slip that reads 'Byobu Mihon - Subete' or 'Folding screen samples - Complete'. The designs were drawn on fine paper and then pasted on large, reasonably thick paper. Each screen is numbered and described in old German (Kurrent Schrift) with the colours, material, height and number of panels indicated. There are 201 numbered descriptions because there were other colours and variants available for most of the screens depicted. Appears to date from the 1860s or 70s and quite possibly has a Dejima connection as there were Germans working there too.
22 leaves (first leave blank). 44.3 x 30cm.
In very good condition. Wear and darkening at edges. Title slip worn with minor loss. Designs are all clean and bright.
m32050553
