Panel c. 1815

This is a monochrome ‘Panel’ textile, likely created in the late 18th or early 19th century by Bannister Hall. The pattern presents a high-contrast scene of lush vegetation and birds, rendered entirely in shades of black and white. Visually, the design creates an interplay between densely packed flora and fauna and the starkness of the limited palette. This juxtaposition is the key to understanding its semiotic structure. Each motif, be it a flower or a bird, is meticulously outlined, imbuing the overall design with a graphic quality that echoes contemporary trends in printmaking and pattern design. The repetition of elements suggests a structuralist approach to design, where the meaning arises not from individual symbols but their arrangement and relation to one another. The panel invites us to consider the cultural codes embedded in patterns, where nature is stylized and commodified for domestic use.