A Very Patched Pair of Child's Mompei: Loose Fitting Trousers

ca. mid twentieth century
as shown: 27" x 19", 68.5 cm x 48 cm 

Mompei or monpei are loose fitting, bloomer-like trousers that were worn by rural and city women alike in the early decades of the twentieth century.  

This particular pair of cotton mompei is very small and were clearly worn by a child.  And clearly this pair of mompei was worn hard since there are so many patches, front and back (we are showing the inside of the trousers here).

The base cloth is a wide striped cotton cloth, and what makes these trousers so visually appealing is the contrasting striped patches that are laid over the striped base cloth.  Really lovely.

A wonderfully rich and unselfconscious visual statement, these mompei are a beautifully and unintentionally designed.

Recommended.