Direct Price A Length Of Katazome Dyed Cotton: Complex And Unusual Design All Sizes Available [NUmSubMo]

late nineteenth century
23" x 13 3/4", 58.5 cm x 35 cm

This is a fragment of katazome dyed cotton that bears an extremely unusual design. 

The pattern is that of stylized hollyhocks against a field of arabesque.

The hollyhock and arabesques are dyed in indigo while the dull orange tone of the background is dyed using bengara, an iron oxide derived dye. 

The background being dyed in bengara as it is here is not often seen in katazome designs, but what makes this pattern all the more unusual is the overlay of white--or resisted--dashes and spots which creates a beautiful visual cacophony. Clearly once part of a futon, this small piece of rare cloth shows one patch to the reverse.

In good, used condition, this old piece of katazome cotton is beguiling to look at.