Paper parasol

parasol

Parasol, Japanese, 19th-century; possibly acquired by Captain Timothy M. Benson during voyages of the bark MARTHA DAVIS [1878-1889]; paper stretched over bamboo ribs; shaft and crown are wood with metal tip at end of shaft; crack where support for parasol is inserted into shaft; Japanese-style figures painted on paper, includes women in kimonos, seated man wearing epaulets; Japanese writing; stitching on inner bamboo braces in light brown and blue thread.