A Hand Stitched Indigo Dyed Cotton Small Mat: Katazome as Kasuri

early twentieth century
29 1/2" x 13", 75 cm x 51 cm

This is a small, hand stitched mat which is made of two pieces of indigo dyed katazome cotton that have been stitched together and finished on all four of its sides.

The katazome pattern is curious and interesting: it is made to mimic another type of dyeing which is kasuri or ikat. Add to that the design is relatively unusual as it shows highly stylized geese paired in mirror image and creating a diamond shape.

The indigo dye has dulled to a greyish tone and there is evidence of some yellowing to the cotton which is evidenced mostly on the lower, right hand corner of the mat.  It is illustrated here on a detail photo.

The actual use for this mat is not clear however it could have been used for sitting, as a cloth to place a baby, something like this.

It is a charming object with a fairly unusual pattern which could be used as a home accessory or for any other inventive application that comes to mind.