A Length of Pieced and Patched Mosquito Netting: Wiry Hemp Yarns

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
72" x 25", 183 cm x 63.5 cm

This is a section of a mosquito net that is hand woven from wiry hemp or ramie yarns which have been overdyed in indigo and yellow dyes to create the deep green color we see here.

The two rustically woven panels are hand stitched together and are composed of five different pieces. Just as the weaving of the panels is rustic so is the stitching that binds them together. Details of the seams of the stitched areas are shown in detail photos here.

The cloth is--to repeat--old and has wonderfully rustic yarns. The length is fairly thickly woven and is heavy in the hand. Of course when back lit the piece transforms and shows a completely different character than what we see when we look at it head on.

Note some loss to the selvedge areas as well as mending patches. Otherwise the piece is in used condition.

A beauty.