A Length of Boldly Figured Kasuri Cotton: Sparrows and Bamboo

early to mid twentieth century
68" x 13 3/4", 172.5 cm x 35 cm

This is a good sized length of old indigo dyed kasuri cotton that shows large-scale, highly stylized sparrows and equally abstracted bamboo stalks and leaves.

Sparrows and bamboo are associated imagery probably because sparrows are often seen flocking in bamboo groves. The sparrow motif, however, bears a fairly noble meaning as it is said to convey "the virtue of repaying one's obligation."

The cloth is boldly designed as is obvious and the images are charming, almost cartoonish.

There is wear to the piece and a small stain on one of the sparrow images which is easy to see on the lead photo here. As can also be seen this length is hand stitched from two separate pieces.

These large, bold, stylized images are attention grabbers and are a really nice and a lovely take on a traditional motif.