Border c. 18th century

This textile work, entitled Border, of unknown date and origin, presents us with a fascinating interplay of form and content. Executed in what appears to be thread on cloth, the piece immediately strikes one with its emphasis on repeated motifs and a limited color palette. The composition is dominated by the horizontal orientation of the cloth and the decorative elements embroidered across its surface, while a subdued ground allows the red figures to emerge, creating a structured yet playful effect. Each symbol, although rudimentary, is presented with careful consideration to symmetry and balance, highlighting the structure of binary oppositions. The artist's decision to repeat shapes emphasizes the textile's inherent flatness while inviting us to decode its possible meanings. Perhaps this repetition serves not merely as ornamentation but as a structural element. By destabilizing the boundary between craft and art, the piece compels us to question traditional hierarchies of value.