The Textile Art Collection presents extraordinary and rare, antique* (*pre 1900)  selections of Japanese textiles that have been carefully cherished and preserved as family heirlooms – some for centuries.
                Clothing design evolved, throughout Japanese History, into an exquisite art form that subtly conveys their innate sense of elegance and style.  These incredible textiles reflect an indulgence and desire for luxurious fabrics, blending the evolution of Japanese culture with its history.  The unique qualities of each garment were achieved through the skills of individual artisans who either hand wove, hand dyed and painted, or hand embroidered each piece to special order for the upper classes. These labor intensive efforts were reflected through meticulous, time consuming, artistic detail, in addition to the use of such priceless metals as gold, platinum and silver. The results are museum quality, one of a kind and increasingly rare.
                Originally, only members of the Imperial Court could wear silk. Today, this has led to severe limitations in availability and number of these wonderful antique textiles. It has also made these rare pieces more difficult to obtain, as many of the families who own such treasures will only make them accessible to those in their own inner circle.
               This Collection has been acquired over the past 20 years of extensive travel and residence in Japan, as well as through contacts who are descendents of Japanese royalty.  Each of these irreplaceable Works of Art includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
                    Terry S. Riordan Warth, Ph.D.