A Striped Cotton Length: Some Zanshi and Double Patching

early twentieth century
68" x 13 3/4", 172.75 cm x 35 cm

This slightly curved length of hand loomed cotton shows an interesting detail of two mending patches, one superimposed on the other, shown here in the lead photo of this post.   The combination of three stripes, of course, is really attractive to the eye.

The base cloth is designed of wide stripes which evenly alternate between blue-ish and a reddish-grey in color.  By looking carefully at the weft yarns you can see there is a slight fluctuation in color and tone as they travel up the length of the cloth: this is due to the fact that leftover yarns were knotted together and used to feed the weft.  This detail is very subtle, but once you notice it, it becomes quite obvious.

A really handsome length of old hand loomed cotton with a great, patched detail.