A Length of Boldly Patterned Katazome: Rustic Technique

early twentieth century
62 1/4" x 13", 158 cm x 33 cm

This length of deeply toned indigo dyed cotton katazome is referred to as "rustic" because some of the resisted white areas are crackled with stray indigo dye. 

We see this effect mostly in the crossed designs that float in the pattern among the family crests which show the diamond flower design.

The length is of generous size and the repeat is fairly large and boldly patterned. The cotton is beautifully hand spun and hand woven and the length was stencil resisted on both of its two sides. The undyed areas, although some show some stray dye, are bright white.

This is an unusual pattern, rather rough in its concept and execution--and one that speaks to an long lost era of hand made articles to be used in daily life.