A Length of Resist Dyed Anchor Images: Desirable Motif

early twentieth century
66" x 13", 167.5 cm x 33 cm

This is a wonderful and fairly rare image to be resist dyed onto cloth, that of the anchor and rope.

The panel of lightweight, indigo dyed cotton depicting four images of this motif was no doubt taken from a futon cover which, most probably, was offered as part of the bridal trousseau.

The motif is one that is often used for wedding or marriage-related textiles as it suggests the mooring of things, or, maybe more exactly, of safely securing the new bride in married life.

This type and style of image is often associated with the area of Izumo which produced distinctive resist dye cloth with bold, symbol-rich images. The anchor motif is a personal favorite here at Sri.

The top or first of the four anchors shows some slight staining, a bit exaggerated on the photo here for effect, however in real life this marring to the cloth is not visually distracting.

This is a marvelously not-often-found motif and as it is rendered here you could say it is classically done.

Recommended.