Two Narrow Fragments of Old Katazome Cotton: Rare Pattern
late nineteenth century
each piece: 22" x 6 1/4", 56 cm x 16 cm
Shown here are two narrow pieces of the same fabric, a boldly patterned, blue-on-white nineteenth century katazome dyed cotton. The stark and graphic pattern is unusual and therefore it is desirable, as is the fact that it is blue-on-white with such large areas of iron oxide-derived dyed details.
Note the variations of tone within the blue-dyed areas of this pattern.
The cotton is hand spun and hand woven; judging from the quality of the cotton and from the interesting pattern it would not be surprising to learn this cloth dates to the mid nineteenth century.
One of the two pieces shows a short vertical tear at the bottom and the two pieces have been torn down each of their sides.
Wonderful to look at, rich in age, this pair is great for study or inspiration.