Printed chintz cotton tablecloth or mat

A number of print methods are evident on this piece, which was likely created in India or Iran for the European market. The central square of the front is block printed with a deep red background and boteh motifs, while the surrounding intricate floral border is created with resist dyeing and either block printing or painting. The main design would have been blocked out first with a resist of resin and glue, then immersed in a vat of indigo dye to create the rich blue background. The finer details would then have been added with either printing or painting by hand.

The design of the front fabric borrows elements of both Indian chintz and the Kalamkari textiles produced in Isfahan, Iran and the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. The panel is backed with a delicate roller printed fabric with a much more European style floral print. The smooth, glazed finish of the fabric remains intact, which suggests that the item has not been used much.

The donor of this item bought it in Baghdad c.1960.

• Exhibition: Cloth Cultures - Cotton

• Category: Domestic and Furnishings
• Date: 1851-1900
• Material: Cotton
• Place: Indian Subcontinent
• Place: Middle East
• Technique: Dyeing
• Technique: Printing