17th-18th century
India
Object qualities
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Objecttextile (towels, carpets, etc.): Hanging
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumCotton, gold leaf; plain weave, painted
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SizeL. 76.3/4 in. (195 cm) W. 77 3/4 in. (197.5 cm)
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Geography detailsAttributed to
India -
Country today
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Date17th-18th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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The flowering plants decorating this cotton hanging are applied in gold leaf glued to the surface of the textile. The fashion of decorating textiles with such plants developed at the Mughal court in the mid-seventeenth century, but spread throughout the courts of northern India in subsequent years. This piece has been attributed to Bikaner, a Rajasthani court where Mughal influence was very strong. Paintings show textiles like this, including the distinctive chevron border, employed as door or window screens, as well as being suspended as canopies.