A Length of Stenciled Cotton: Iron Oxide Derived Dye

early twentieth century
55" x 12 1/2", 140 cm x 31.5 cm

This is a length of stenciled cotton that has been dyed using bengara, an iron oxide-derived dye that produces the brick red color seen here.

Coincidentally the pattern on this cloth is brick-like or, rather, it is a repeat design of medium-scale rectangles in alternating stacks.

The cloth was folded lengthwise three times and as such there are faint creases which show this. 

This is a handsome length of bengara dyed cotton in fairly good, used condition and with a very nice geometric pattern.