A Buddhist Altar Cloth: Hand Painted Lotuses on Hemp or Ramie Cloth

late nineteenth century 24 1/2" x 47", 62 cm x 119.5 cm This triangle-shaped, white colored cloth is hand woven from hemp or ramie and it is backed with similar cloth. It is a uchishiki or a cloth used in Buddhist temples as a covering or decoration for a table within the confines of the altar area. Shown on this is a charmingly hand painted scene are two lotus blooms and three leaves which are rising up from the still water under them. The treatment of the subject matter is naive or unschooled-seeming, which is where the charm of this image is held. As can be easily seen, the surface is lightly stained and in large areas, and the original banding to the top of the uchishiki is missing. On one of the small points on either side of the top of the cloth is a spray of loss, pictured here. The painting, done in sumi or charcoal-based ink--is slightly gradient and beautifully unselfconscious. You could call it folk painting. Just wonderful.