This matchbox is printed with a replica of one of our vintage indigo textiles. In ancient times, from opulent Egypt to stark West Africa, fabric has been dyed a mysterious, beautiful blue. This is a replica of our popular St. Frank textile; the indigo color, or "gold blue," is a symbol of the link between heaven and earth. Through a careful process, indigo can produce a vast palette of blue hues; traditional dyers would ask their customers' color preferences, from the palest sky to the deepest midnight. Dye vats alone take a full week to prepare and require daily stirring. The un-dyed cloth is pinched, sewn, and tied according to precise patterns. Once dye is applied to the material, the ties are removed, revealing patterns of lines, shells, dots, or tracery.
