Odds and quads
These are among the 400 Japanese stencils (katagami) acquired by the Silver Studio, one of the UK's most influential design houses, in the late 19th century.
Katagami were traditionally used to apply patterns to kimono fabric. The samples would have been made by skilled craftsmen using mulberry paper layered together and coated with persimmon juice for waterproofing.
The Silver Studio collection is now held by the Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture at Middlesex University. An online exhibition titled Japantastic examines the impact of katagami on the studio's designs.
Send suggestions for this series on the treasures held by universities across the world to matthew.reisz @tsleducation.com.
