Border
19th century
Medium
Cotton, plain weave; block printed
Dimensions
41.6 × 7.2 cm (16 3/8 × 2 7/8 in.); Warp repeat: H.: 3.2 cm (1 1/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
52945
Art Historical Context
This delicate textile fragment, titled *Border*, hails from the 19 century and exemplifies the artistry of block printing on cotton plain weave. Measuring a slender 41.6 × 7.2 cm, with a warp repeat of just 3.2 cm, it was likely designed as a decorative for garments, curtains, or household linens. Its narrow form suggests versatility in everyday use, transforming ordinary fabrics into elegant accents during an era when mass-produced textiles were revolutionizing home life. Block printing, the technique used here, involved carving intricate patterns into wooden blocks, inking them, and stampin...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...