Sheet with overall paisley pattern 1800 - 1900

This fabric sheet, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features an overall paisley pattern and was made by an anonymous artist. The process of creating such a pattern usually involves techniques like block printing, where carved wooden blocks are used to apply dyes to the fabric. The tight repeat of the paisley motif speaks to the ways patterns can be endlessly reproduced. The choice of dyes affects the look and feel of the textile, and in turn, the cultural significance of the sheet. Consider the labor involved in the design of the pattern, preparation of the dyes, and the printing itself. It is very labor-intensive. Understanding the materials, the making process, and the social context embedded in the design, allows us to move beyond the surface of the sheet, and appreciate the ways that objects made for everyday use intersect with artistic expression and cultural meaning.