Silk Parasol Handle and spokes made from bamboo, aqua color habutai silk is glued between bamboo spokes and painted with pink and red pinks "carnations" and green leaves. The flowers cover two thirds of the cloth and the other part are two black ink dragonflies. A bamboo knot on top is covered with black lacquered paper and the spokes near the center are painted with black lacquer. The bamboo handle has been cut so that root stubs can be seen at the end. The inner spokes are attached to the upper spokes with heavy cord and are held in place with cotton thread. A bone retractable peg holds the umbrella open when slates are pushed up the handle. On the outside a cotton braid is looped and knotted to serve as a fastener to keep umbrella closed. The silk is beginning to split.

1996.024.012