A Length of Katazome Cotton: Large Scale Peonies and Butterflies

early twentieth century
60" x 13", 152.5 cm x 33 cm

This length of katazome dyed cotton is lightweight or almost gauzy to the touch.

It shows a repeat pattern of large-scale and lush peonies rendered with contours and shadows set against a background of arabesques. Within this richly designed pattern we see butterflies set at regular intervals.

The cloth was stenciled on both its sides. This we know by the kind of blurring that occurs around some of the images; the registration of the stencils was not exact so the images read as slightly fuzzy.

The cloth is in good, used condition and the resist dyed pattern is luscious and enticing. 

Slightly unusual and light in weight this is a visually interesting length of old katazome cotton.