A Length of Deeply Toned Katazome Cotton: Complex Pattern

late nineteenth century
38 1/2" x 13", 98 cm x 33 cm

This is a length of seriously complex katazome dyed hand spun, hand woven cotton.

It shows a crowded, dark and low contrast pattern that is varied in its design elements. The cloth also seems to be twice dyed in indigo which gives the two blue tones seen here; the complexity of the pattern is augmented by the inclusion of a grey tone which is judiciously placed into the design.

The pattern is made up of stylized, traditional images that are dense within the cloth: abstracted hemp leaves, swirls of water and the popular and often-seen image of the plover, a shore bird.

There is a hole to the top, right and bottom, right corners of the cloth, otherwise the length is in good, used condition.

This is an unusual design in an even more unusual, deeply toned and low contrast pattern.