A Length of Old Katazome Dyed Cotton: Unusual Pattern of Stylized Cloves
late nineteenth century
33 1/4" x 13 3/4", 84.5 cm x 35 cm
This length of hand spun, hand woven, indigo dyed cotton katazome cloth is most definitely from the 19th century--its wonderful cloth and fibers are a testimony to that.
The large-scale repeat pattern is unusual. It shows stylized cloves that are filled with design motifs: sayagata or Buddhist swastika, maple leaves, a tortoiseshell/hemp leaf hybrid and a paving stone effect.
The surface of the cotton shows a few small holes, some snags and pitting but the color is warm and rich, much nicer than the photos here show.
The pattern shown here is not often seen and makes this length a joy to behold. One can only imagine the era when this cloth was made and how it fit into a larger context of a traditional Japanese home.
Recommended.