Ontwerp voor een tapijt c. 1854 - 1864

This is a design for a carpet, made by an anonymous artist. The design speaks to the global trade networks that flourished from the 17th century onwards. The intricate paisley pattern, rendered in rich reds, greens, and blues, evokes the luxurious textiles of Kashmir. These motifs, appropriated and adapted in Europe, became potent symbols of wealth and exoticism. Carpet designs like these reflect the desire for status, and they circulated among wealthy elites. This design offers a window into the cultural exchanges and power dynamics that shaped European taste, and the work invites us to consider the complexities of cultural appropriation and the social life of objects. To understand its place in the history of design, we might consult pattern books and trade records. Through such research, we can gain a richer understanding of the design’s historical meaning and its connection to broader social and economic forces.