A Length of Beautifully Detailed Old Katazome Cotton: Double Sided and Rich Pattern

late nineteenth century
24 1/2" x 13", 62 cm x 33 cm

This is the kind of nineteenth century katazome cloth you hope to see: it is exceedingly rich in tone, it is beautifully produced, it is fairly unusual in its depiction of its subject matter and it is obviously intricately hand made.

The pattern is a crowded and rich one that depicts carriage wheels done in two different ways--the wheel is known as Genji guruma an allusion to the Heian period novel, "The Tale of Genji" in which ox drawn carriages play a memorable role.

Interspersed with these wheels are stylized paulownia flowers which refer to elegance and nobility and these flowers, too, are rendered in two different ways.

Tints of grey and black highlight the overall design which is visually shimmering from the use of small white dots against a blue or dark background of indigo. What is remarkable about this piece is that it was stencil resist dyed on both its sides which is almost a technically magical feat. The tinting of grey and black tones, however, was done to just one side.

This length is in good, used condition but please do note the tear to the top, left area. 

This is something of a treasure of katazome design and craft.

Recommended.