A Length of Safflower Dyed Hemp or Ramie: Some Holes and Stains

early to mid twentieth century
54 1/2" x 12 1/2", 138.5 cm x 32 cm

This rich, pink-toned length of ramie cloth was taken from a kimono and it was dyed in benibana or safflower dye. Its texture shows creasing from use and wear--but more importantly please know that there are clusters of holes along the seams and on the bottom of the piece (examples shown on accompanying detail photos) and there is some ingrained dirt on the length, especially at the top. As well there is a spray of faint stains, also shown on the photos here.

Safflower dye can take on many colors, from pale yellow to raging fuchsia, depending on the way the dyestuff is processed and what mordant is used to set the dye.

In this case of this fragment, we see a luxurious pink color, a kind of almost-fuchsia that is has a slightly cool cast to it. The color is just beautiful.

As safflower dyed cloth is light fugitive this fragment should be protected from long exposure to light.

It is a wonderful study piece for natural dyers or for collectors of Japanese folk textiles; the condition is good and the color is striking. This is a generously-sized length of old benibana dyed ramie.

Recommended.