A Finished Boro Mat: Brown Cottons

early to mid twentieth century
29" x 22 3/4", 71 cm x 58 cm

This is a very nice boro cotton mat, equally interesting on both sides.

The base cloth is recycled cotton that has been stenciled with a check or plaid pattern; more than likely this cloth was originally a kimono. This double-sided rectangle is hand stitched from several pieces as can be seen on the accompanying photographs and it is quite worn: there is a small hole on the proper right-hand, center section, shown in detail on the accompanying photos, attached here.

On the lead photos there is a patch of kasuri cotton over patched with a striped piece.  On the other side is a blank cotton patch, centered, and stitched to the base with black thread.

A simple and wonderful little boro cloth and one that would be really nice to use on a table--or to hang on a wall as artwork.