Japanese Indigo Boro Textile Panel with Hand-Stitched Repairs

Size: Approximately 12.5 by 27.5 inches (31.8 by 69.9 cm)
Japan · Circa 1900 · Cotton

This narrow Japanese boro panel has two very different sides. One brings together fine blue and pale purple stripes, faded blue cotton, and layers of patches held by dense hand stitching. In places, lighter cotton shows through where the fabric has worn.

Turn it over and the reverse is deeper blue, with long stitched seams and a large pale striped patch near the lower end.

Its long, narrow shape works well for framing or textile mounting, with either side on show.

Details

• Techniques: Hand stitching, patching, and mending
• Construction: Two-sided textile panel with distinct compositions on each face
• Weight: Approximately 4 ounces (113 grams)

Condition

It’s in good antique condition, with the stitched repairs still in place. There’s surface wear and fraying, with several lovely worn-through areas toward the lower end where lighter cotton shows underneath.