A Resist Dyed Furoshiki: Large Butterfly
early to mid twentieth century
44 1/2" x 43", 113 cm x 109 cm
This is a resist dyed furoshiki, a furoshiki being a traditional wrapping or carrying cloth often used to haul goods from place to place.
This particular one shows a delightfully rendered, large, centrally placed resisted butterfly: the resist process was clumsily done as can be seen by the imperfections in the image.
The cotton is commercially milled and the furoshiki is stitched and finished using a sewing machine: as can be easily seen the indigo color has been selectively worn away on certain areas of the cloth, no doubt due to its lifetime of wear.
Still this is a really attractive old furoshiki which shows a traditional Japanese design motif--and notice that with Japanese butterflies you can usually see their "face" as is the case here.
Charmingly rustic.