A Fabulous, Large Piece-Constructed Textile: Boro

ca. early to mid twentieth century
58" x 48", 147.5 cm x 122 cm

This is a really beautiful, large, piece constructed cotton boro textile--and it is attractive on both sides, each of which is different from the other.

The proper front is composed of large swaths of deep purple and indigo dyed cloth, arranged with not a great deal of attention to symmetry, which is really charming.  There are some fabulous mended areas throughout the surface of this cloth, the mendings being long, narrow and elliptical, a good detail.  Also, on the surface of the front of this cloth, the blue cottons show large, irregular arcs of light fading, which somehow do not detract from the overall visual enjoyment of the piece.

The back is just stunning: it is brown colored cotton which is woven in the kagasuri or mosquito kasuri pattern which is characterized by tiny, white flecks of undyed yarns which dot the surface of the piece; the dots are so small that they resemble mosquitoes.  It seems this cloth may have been machine assisted in its weaving, but it is still a gorgeous lining for this marvelously attractive old boro cloth.

Just wonderful,and very usable as a bedcover or throw--or to enjoy as art, which some may say it is.

Recommended.