JAPANESE SILK WARSHIP PORTRAIT - Important Japanese export silk embroidered ship portrait of the US Navy Maine Class Battleship USS 'Pennsylvania', which participated in the cruise of "The Great White Fleet", 1907 - 1909. Authorised by President Theodore Roosevelt, this grand cruise across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans was intended to impress all maritime nations with the new power and long reach of the United States Navy. Silkwork and bullion on silk. The ships and waves are embroidered, the water field, sky and smoke are painted. In black panel frame with gold rope liner, blue-grey mats, glazed. OS: 32 1/2" x 41", SS: 21" x 29 1/2". Fine condition. Folds, as found. An interesting note: the USS 'Pennsylvania' was the first ship in history to land an aircraft.