A Short Length of Patched Cotton: Handsome Boro

ca. late nineteenth century
30" x 12 3/4", 76 cm x 32.5 cm

This length of cotton boro cloth most likely is taken from an old kimono.  It is simple and beautiful in its coloration, its arrangement of cloth fragments and its age.

The base cloth is a narrow striped hand woven indigo cotton, the stripes being dark indigo, white, and a kind of yellow tone, the combination of which merges into a visually soft, overall tone of indigo.

The large, indigo dyed patch on the surface of the cloth is beautifully abraded from time and also is of good, faded color.  The length is comprised of two pieces of cloth which are hand stitched together.  There are two patches and some subtle worm holes to the large patch.

Subtle, sophisticated and lovely.