A Length of Indigo Dyed Katazome Cotton: Swirling Willow

late nineteenth century
27 1/2" x 13", 70 cm x 33 cm

This is a really beautiful fragment of hand spun, hand woven cotton of good age and with wonderful thread integrity. 

The repeat pattern shown on this length is quite unusual in that it seems to portray stylized willow branches isolated and swirling. They are set in regular rows and are staggered between geometric or rectilinear shapes.

The indigo tone has softened beautifully and has revealed the hand spun yarns. Note some faint but noticeable yellowing to the top, right hand corner of the length, probably the result of age.

Unusual, beautiful, with fantastic tread integrity and great age.