Cover
19th century
Description
This quilted cover is an example of qalamkari (“pen-work”), a traditional technique of decorating cotton with dyes. The design features a central medallion on a red field patterned with butahs in off-set repeat. The central medallion and quarter medallions in the corners combine birds, blossoms, leaves, and knot patterns. Two wide borders contain running floral scrolls; and multiple guard stripes hold small floral motifs. The design employs the traditional four colors (black, red, blue, and yellow) and has been created by block printing and wax resist.
Dimensions
89 x 124 cm (35 1/16 x 48 13/16 in.)
Provenance
Mark and Ruth Irwin, Wooster, Ohio (by 1965 - 1998), by descent; to Beth Irwin Lewis, Oberlin, Ohio (1998 - 2015), gift; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2015.
Related Artworks
View MoreLacquered black horse hair over lacquered bamboo frame
19th-20th centuryKoreanSilk
19th centuryJapaneseBook of swatches mounted on paper (56 sheets)
19th-20th centuryJapaneseResist-dyed gray silk crepe (chirimen) with "twilight dying" (akebono-zome) designs utilizing paste-resist (yuzenzome) and hand-painted techniques; selected motifs embroidered with polychrome silk and gold threads
19th centuryJapaneseCompound silk and metal thread weave
19th centuryPersianYellow silk with selvedges intact; the basic fabric in tabby weave, the decorative medallions in damask weave
19th centuryChineseSilk lampas
18th-19th centurySpanishSilk on linen
18th-19th centuryOttoman