A Tattered, Colorful Tattered Boro Panel: Reversible

mid twentieth century
59" x 15", 150 cm x 38 cm

This colorful, reversible length of layered and messy boro cloth is from the second or early third quarter of the twentieth century as can be witnessed by the types of cloth that are hand stitched to make this tattered beauty.

This was taken from a futon cover and as you can easily see this was an improvisational piece and one that seems to be made of any readily-available scrap of cotton. There are loose seams, abraded surfaces, some tears and small holes--and these details all serve to inform us of the kind of hard life lived by this futon cover panel.

Easily enjoyed on both its sides this can be displayed front or back for equal visual enjoyment.

And please note an interesting detail: on the darker of the two sides the patch on the top, left is actually a pocket, further evidence that almost anything was recycled in the service of making what was necessary in the home.

A lovely thing.