A Hemp Noren: Resist Dyed and Hand Painted Turnips

mid to late twentieth century
54" x 34", 137 cm x 86.25 cm

This is a two panel, resist-dyed, hemp cotton noren, a noren being a traditional curtain that acts as a shop sign or a kind of cover for an entrance way, depending how the noren is used.  

When noren are used as shop signs they are hung in the doorway of a business to announce the shop is open, however they also provided a barrier between the dust and chaos of the street and the inside of the shop or home.

Additionally noren incite some sort of psychological effect by delineating a transition between outside and inside.

This particular one is just charming for its depiction of two turnips with richly textured, long leaves that appear to dance above and away from the turnips.

The indigo background is medium in tone with markings from creases that reflect its use. Note the expert stitching that binds the two halves of the noren together.

The noren is slightly faded from wear and there are no apparent stains.

This is a really charming noren in good, used condition with a desirable, delightful design.