Indian Trade Cloth
Early 18th c

Love the Kylin. It is interesting to realise that this cotton fabric was printed in Gujerat, possibly part of a large hanging, with a Chinese mythical creature, a kylin.  The printed fabric was exported to Indonesia by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) where presumably it was used. Damaged cloths were taken back to The Netherlands  where they were in demand as souvenirs & curiosities during the 17th & 18th centuries. They found their way to Marken, Northern Holland where these early fabrics were treasured by the rural community They were reused as the fronts of women's bodices, and became part of thier regional dress. 

Description

The large kylin hand block printed in madder and indigo surrounded by flowers and leaves on a buff coloured cotton ground, the top with a stylised border of flowers within C scrolls,  backed with a French print of poppies, wheat and flowers..

12 x 9 1/2 in; 30 x 24 cm

 

Condition

Very good.

Comments

*  Master Dyers to the World  Mattiebelle Gittenger p 177

Trade,Temple & Court  Barnes, Cohen & Crill 

Woven Cargoes John Guy plate 90/91.

Sits. Katoen in bloei Gieneke Arnolli. p 54. Oh for this book to be in English!