This exquisite summer crepe silk obi (kimono sash) from Japan dates to circa 1930. Measuring 14 inches by 150 inches (36 cm x 381 cm), it is crafted from a lightweight, breathable silk ideal for the humid Japanese summer months. The textile carries significant provenance, having been part of a textile collection assembled before 1933 by Dr. Charles E. Mullin, a chemist specializing in fabric dyes and dyeing techniques for the American Celanese Co. who traveled extensively across Asia in the 1920s.

The design is a masterclass in symmetrical composition, featuring a mirrored landscape on a deep black ground. The motifs include towering, stylized pine trees rendered in white and soft gray, which frame a central architectural structure resembling a temple pavilion or villa. Below the architecture, two cranes—symbols of longevity—are nestled among a profusion of white chrysanthemums and lavender flowing water patterns. The piece is in excellent condition, reflecting the care with which it was collected and preserved.

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