An Old, Patched Katazome Dyed Fragment: Hand Spun Yarns

late nineteenth century
23 1/2" x 13", 59.5 cm x 33 cm

This is a length of indigo dyed, hand spun, hand woven cotton that has been embellished in the katazome method. The the indigo color is warm, and if you look closely you will see there are darker tones that color the designs thus adding depth to the pattern.

The length is old, more than likely from the last quarter of the nineteenth century.

The pattern is a curious one as it shows fanciful shapes that are decorated with design motifs: it is beautifully done. There are two small patches.

The white blank space on the bottom, right hand corner of the length indicates that this piece was the end of a full bolt of this cloth.

This fragment has great charm for its designs and for its age, not to mention there is great visual pleasure to be had in admiring the textural quality of the hand spun cotton yarns.

Recommended.