A Length of Boro Shibori Cotton: Indigo Dyed Cotton
early twentieth century
54" x 12 1/4", 137 cm x 31 cm
This is a length of indigo dyed cotton in what appears to be a northern Japanese style of stark, white-on-blue shibori. The design shows rather crudely rendered whorls of water and the flitting of the the plover, known in Japan as chidori and is a well-loved motif for textiles and other applied arts.
The cotton is of a weight which makes it seem this length was taken from a kimono, but now we see that it is fairly well patched with plain and kasuri cotton pieces. This patching adds to the overall charm of this already-charming length of rustic shibori.
The cloth shows small scuffs and holes and if you look carefully at the attached detail photos you will see evidence of this.
But what a wonderful, boro length. It is beautiful.
Recommended.