Mirror cover c. 20th century

This Mirror Cover was handmade in Tajikistan, using cotton and silk. Imagine the maker sitting, needle in hand, carefully building up these intricate patterns. The whole piece is so considered – it’s not quite symmetrical, but the variation is a playful touch. Look at those tree-like motifs, almost like stylized candelabras, they give the piece a lively, dancing energy. I think of Matisse cutting shapes out of paper, or the Gee’s Bend quilters using scraps of fabric to build up these incredible compositions. This mirror cover feels like part of that tradition – it’s both functional and totally beautiful, a meeting place for color and line. Each stitch is a decision, a mark of the hand. It's a testament to the power of simple materials, used with imagination and skill, to create something that really sings.