A Patched Length of Kasuri and Plaid Cotton: Well Cover and Paulownia

ca. late nineteenth, early twentieth century
67" x 13 1/2", 170 cm x 34.25 cm

This is a really handsome length of boro cloth: it is a panel of hand woven, indigo dyed cotton which is at once a large-scale check and a kasuri or ikat woven pattern.  The kasuri designs are traditional in that they seem to be a well crib and a variant on the paulownia or kiri motif.

The length of cloth is hand sewn from two different pieces; it is patched with five patches.  The color of the cloth is wonderful: the intersecting warp and weft yarns which create the large-scale check pattern are asagi or pale blue.  However, in the configuration of this cloth, somehow they give the appearance of being a kind of turquoise color.

This is a very interesting length of handwoven, old Japanese cotton, and one to consider adding to your collection.

Two small holes and some surface scuffing.

Just wonderful.