A Length of Very Old Katazome Cotton: Faux Shibori and Yellow Details

mid to late nineteenth century
21" x 12 3/4", 53.5 cm x 32.5 cm

This is a very old fragment of katazome cloth, the age of which can easily be seen in the quality of the hand spun cotton yarns which are evident because of their rich texture and from the light fading which naturally enhances them.

The pattern is complex and geometric. The colors are indigo, white, yellow and black--and if you look at the design motif of the hexagons and the lines that connect them you can see there is a kind of suggestion of a faux shibori, a detail that is quite subtle yet enhances the overall design effect.

The design shows stylized cherry blossoms, pine needles in the form of roundels and abstracted chrysanthemums.

There is a cut to the lower, left hand corner of the fragment which is shown on the detail photo that accompanies this post.

This is a richly patterned, wonderful-to-look at, old length of katazome dyed cotton in an usual color palette and with a complex design.

Recommended.