Collections Database

Description:
Fragment of cotton with a blue and white resist-printed border pattern. The the indigo-resist pattern (known in the 18th century as paste work) was likely made in the batik resist printing technique (made by applying wax), rather than a starch, or (later) a chemical paste. Once the resist substance was applied, the fabric was dipped into the indigo bath, the paste "resisted" the dye, leaving the "waxed" fabric white. Then the wax was reapplied within each design to make multiple shades of blue; when the cloth dipped again, those areas not covered by the wax became an even deeper blue.

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+97.017

Research on objects in the collections, including provenance, is ongoing and may be incomplete. If you have additional information or would like to learn more about a particular object, please email fc-museums-web@fivecolleges.edu.