A Stunningly Good Length of Boro Cloth: Age, Patches, Pattern

late nineteenth century
67" x 12 1/2", 170 cm x 32 cm

This panel taken from a larger futon cover is an example of boro cloth which is as good as it gets.

The cloth is all hand spun cotton and the patching is rich, old, varied and hand applied. The base cloth is a beautifully two-toned katazome cotton showing chrysanthemums and arabesques, a traditional pattern for bedding.

There are about 18 patches in all, each of them seemingly applied very long ago and probably belonging to the 19th century.

The age, texture, the color, the stitching and the arrangement of patches make this a boro textile which is a cut above the others.

Very recommended.