A Rustic Furoshiki or Fukusa with Benibana Fragments: Pieced Small Square

early to mid twentieth century
23" x 21 1/2", 58.5 cm x 29 cm

This is a hand pieced, hand stitched small textile that is made of primarily indigo and what appears to be safflower or benibana dyed cotton. The association of the blue, brownish and reddish/orange benibana fragments is beautifully arranged. 

Both sides are interesting; both sides are piece-constructed, but each is very different in mood and feeling.

The proper front is festive with its contrasting tones and temperatures; the back is more somber with its cloth in closely related value and color. 

The cloth was probably meant to be a fukusa or a gift cover, or it could have been a small furoshiki or wrapping cloth. The size and scale of the cloth makes it more probable that it was used as a fukusa, however, as does its fairly festive design and color scheme.

Please note there is ingrained dirt on the light colored cotton pieces on the upper right hand corner of the front of the textile.

A beautiful little folk textile with great visual appeal, good cloth and nice age.