Buddhist Altar Cloth (Uchishiki)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Buddhist Altar Cloth (Uchishiki) by an unknown artist. The square cloth has a dark blue background with a repeating pattern of gold and light blue hexagons. In the center, a large circle contains two gold lotus flowers with green leaves on a beige background. The flowers have multiple petals and are outlined in black. The circle is outlined in green and black. The edges of the cloth are rough and frayed. The overall design is intricate and symmetrical. The cloth is likely made of fabric and has a decorative purpose.