A Length of Northern Shibori: Floral Roundels and Butterflies

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
52 1/2" x 13", 133.25 cm x 33 cm

This is a length of very deep-toned indigo blue dyed shibori cotton. The spare design and the white-on-blue repeat pattern indicate this is a kind of shibori done in northern Japan.

The design of flower roundels and butterflies is beautifully realized. The shibori is delicately and expertly done with a good deal of image articulation in each of the dyed areas.

The cotton may or may not be hand woven but in any case it is tightly woven with a drapey hand. There is some ingrained creasing, slight light fading and surface scuffing--not terribly noticeable but illustrated in a detail photo attached here.

This is a beautiful length of old shibori--very elegant.