A Beautiful Length of Picture Kasuri: Bands of Tortoises and Patches

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
57" x 12 1/2", 144.75 cm x 32 cm

This length of old indigo dyed cotton displays three wonderful characteristics which make this panel desirable: the fantastic, hand spun cotton yarns; the very finely realized images that are woven into the weft fibers; the bold patches that create a foil for the delicate images they obscure.

The piece shows very good wear and an overall patina from years of use, both of which highlight the hand spun quality of the cotton yarns which is beautiful to see.  The image itself is a beautifully drawn tortoise and Buddhist pearl, finely realized utilizing kasuri weft yarns.

The indigo dyed cotton patches as they sit in the center of this length give an unexpected and jarring, graphic aspect to the old length of indigo dyed cotton cloth, which is why we love boro textiles so much: they always surprise and delight the eye.

Recommended.