A Length of Katazome Dyed Cotton: Paulownia and Arabesques
late nineteenth, early twentieth century
58 1/2" x 13 1/2", 148.5 cm x 34 cm
This is a length of deeply toned, indigo dyed cotton katazome cloth. The pattern as depicted here is that of a repeat pattern of lyrically-placed paulownia blooms against a background of arabesques on a field of small, white dots.
The paulownia blooms are highlighted with touches of orange toned pigment-based dyed called bengara in Japan.
The paulownia flowers are rather naturalistically depicted as they are often shown in highly stylized manner like what is shown here.
The condition of the length is good and used with remarkably little fading from wear: the color tones are still robust.
A lovely length of old katazome cotton.