Antique Indian Kalamkari, dating to late 1800s.

This large textile was likely originally made as a bedspread for the persian market, but in the subsequent years had a lining added with an incorporated sleeve for hanging. This would be stunning as a bedcover or a large tapestry. It is in fantastic condition for age, was used as a tapestry and then kept in storage for a long time by previous owner and is in exceptional antique condition.

Indian chintz is the western name for Kalamkari (Qalamkari in Persian), which was a labor intensive process of mordant and resist dyeing, where natural dyes from plants were used with mordants (often metallic salts like iron), and applied with a bamboo pen on cotton cloth. Kalamkari was widely practiced in the Coromandel coast in the southeast coastal region of India.

Dimensions: 110” x 70”