A Short Length of Katazome Dyed Cotton: Yellowish Highlights

late nineteenth century
23 1/4" x 13 1/4", 59 cm x 33.5 cm

This is a length of indigo dyed, hand spun, hand woven cotton that depicts a geometric design of octagons and squares which are arranged as a repeat pattern. 

The octagons and the squares, both, hold stylized flower forms and one of the distinctive features of this design is that a yellow tone is added to the indigo field to create an accent or to enrich the depth of the design.

This type of pattern when rendered in katazome might be an attempt to mimic the effect of woven silk brocade textiles, however on its own terms this is a beautifully designed, hand made cotton cloth.