A Length of Resist Dyed Cloth: Spider Webs and Leaves

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
65 1/4" x 11 3/4", 166.5 cm x 30 cm

This is a length of old, starched and brittle cotton that has been dyed in a resist dyed method, either katazome or the refined, hand drawn resist method called yuzenzome.

The six images shown on this piece are spiderwebs, an alluring design and there is an amazing detail: each of the spiderwebs is different and each one shows a different leaf, some near the edge of the spiderweb, some trapped into it. This feature is so subtle that it is easily missed.

The cloth is stitched from two pieces and there are patches and some loss to the top, probably an insect eating the starch which was used on the cloth.

It is so much fun to look at and it certainly grabs one's attention. The addition of the leaves is a rich one and enhances this already-wonderful design.

Lovely.