A Fragment of Katazome Dyed Cotton: Wisteria Roundels

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
13" x 8", 33 cm x 20.25 cm

This is a length of katazome dyed, hand spun, hand woven cotton. The cloth itself shows a beautiful texture from being hand made and the pattern is rich.

It shows a network of hexagons that symbolize tortoise shell, the tortoise image conveys a wish for long life. Inside each hexagon is a whorled roundel of stylized wisteria.

There are greyish details on the otherwise deep indigo ground, the undyed, white areas are delicate, thus creating a wonderful surface design and delicate tonal contrast.

A lovely fragment of old katazome cotton.