A Fragment from a Mosen: Felted and Dyed Mongolian Wool

ca. late nineteenth century
16 1/2" x 15",  42 cm x 38 cm

This shibori dyed felted wool is a fragment from a larger piece which would have been a floor mat that has associations to tea culture in Japan.

This type of shibori dyed felted wool is called mosen; wool is not a native fiber to Japan and this felted wool was an import from Mongolia where wool is plentiful and where felting is custom.

This is a small fragment of mosen.  It shows one large shibori roundel accompanied by a smaller one to its lower right; the background color of rust is rich; the green color of the larger shibori roundel is quite clear.  This tie dying was done in Mongolia, the source of the felted wool.

This piece is a beauty--and for shibori enthusiasts and researchers, this is a good opportunity to own a small piece of this hard-to-find textile.