World-Class Collector, Chris Hall’s, New Focus on Japanese Fukusa

Not content with amassing, over many years, one of the best collections of Chinese textiles in the World, Chris Hall (G62-69) has quietly built an amazing collection of Japanese Fukusa – these are principally silk-embroidered squares of textile used to wrap formal gifts. Gift giving and receiving, in Japan, goes beyond simply commemorating a special occasion, and in historical times was very much about social rank and respect.

Earlier this year (2024) Chris gave his collection of Japanese textiles to the Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore. They organised an exhibition of his Japanese textiles, mainly gift covers.

To learn more about this collection, please follow the link to a “Three Screens Together” short film which talks about his Japanese gift cover collection. This was prepared by the Asian Civilizations Museum: https://vimeo.com/934778959/6a542ced54?