Presentation cloth

late 19th century

Not on view

This square shaped presentation cloth is indigo dyed cotton superimposed with glued gold décor of sprays of star/flower patterns. The border comprises vine and pink floral motifs. Lavishly decorated cloths of this square format were deployed for wrapping gifts when presented. Gift exchange was regular feature of Hindu and Muslim court protocol, and finely decorated textiles of this type are often depicted in Mughal and Rajput paintings wrapping gifts in the act of being presented, or as covers over trays of offerings arranged on a carpet before a court assembly.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Presentation cloth
Date: late 19th century
Culture: North India
Medium: Cotton with applied gold decoration, painted infill
Dimensions: 24 1/2 × 26 3/4 in. (62.2 × 67.9 cm)
Classification: Textiles
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Yukikazu Iwasa, in memory of Seizaburo and Shizuko Iwasa, 2016
Object Number: 2016.753.1
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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