A Patched Length of Katazome: Two Beautiful Sides
late nineteenth, early twentieth century
67" x 12 1/4", 170 cm x 31 cm
This is a length of patched katazome dyed cotton which is beautiful on both its sides.
The side highlighted here is the "wrong" side and it shows three hand stitched patches, each one a small piece of katazome cotton in a distinct pattern. The contrast of the patches with this ground cloth is beautiful.
The other side shows a lovely, regular pattern of stylized chrysanthemums set within a fanciful background of hexagons or a tortoiseshell motif, an auspicious design meant to convey a wish for long life.
The cotton is hand woven cotton and shows a fairly strong patina from wear.
Just lovely.