Textile Design with Vertical Rows of Alternating Lenses of Two Different Sizes Bordered by Pearls Separated by Vertical Scrolls of Ribbons Over a Stippled Background 1840

This small textile design with lenses, pearls, and ribbons was made by an anonymous artist, at an unknown date, using an unknown medium. The question of anonymity is central here. Who designs textiles? How are such designs disseminated, and what institutions shape their production? We can begin to answer these questions by looking closely at the piece. The repeating pattern, the symmetrical layout, and the stippled background might suggest the influence of industrial production. The image is in the style of a sample, perhaps submitted to a manufacturer. It’s possible it was destined for clothing, upholstery, or wallpaper. The lack of information about the designer invites further study into the political economy of design. We might ask whether the designer was a freelance artist or a factory employee. Was this design part of a larger movement or trend? By consulting trade publications, museum collections, and historical archives, we can piece together a richer understanding of the social conditions that gave rise to this intriguing and beautiful work.