Golden Bird Japanese Classic Antique Napkin

Mythical Howo above the Kiri is a stunning Asian art print inspired by an 1884 Japanese illustration from The Ornamental Arts of Japan by G.A. Audsley. The piece depicts a mythical phoenix-like creature (Howo) soaring above a stylised paulownia tree (Kiri), symbolising good fortune and nobility in Japanese culture. Rendered in intricate ink and gold leaf details, the design blends traditional ukiyo-e techniques with Audsley’s signature Victorian-era ornamental aesthetic. The composition’s balance of geometric patterns and organic forms reflects the fusion of Eastern and Western artistic influences during the Meiji Restoration. This print, originally published in Audsley’s groundbreaking study of Japanese art, remains a timeless representation of mythological iconography and decorative craftsmanship.