Hanging (Palempore)
Unknown Artist
early 18th century
Medium
Cotton; painted
Dimensions
L. 86 1/2 in. (219.7 cm) W. 49 1/2 in. (25.7 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Painted and/or Printed
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1926
Accession Number
26.28.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This vibrant *Hanging (Palempore)*, created by an unknown artist in the 18th century, a stunning example of painted cotton textile from the Islamic Art tradition. Measuring an impressive 86½ inches long by 49½ inches wide, it was likely used as a luxurious bed hanging or wall covering. The medium—cotton meticulously painted with natural dyes—showcases the intricate hand-painted techniques popular in South Asian workshops, where mordants (chemical fixatives) were applied to create bold, colorfast motifs that resisted fading. Palempores like this one were prized exports from India, particularly...