Panel c. 19th century

This 'Panel' was crafted by an anonymous artist using silk in an intricate ikat technique. Ikat is a process of resist dyeing, where the threads are strategically bound and dyed before weaving. This laborious method demands skilled artisans. The weaver has to precisely align the patterned threads during the weaving process to form a complete design. The material's influence is immediately apparent: silk lends a subtle sheen and suppleness to the textile, while the ikat process creates a distinctive blurred pattern, full of character. The vibrant hues, juxtaposed with the deliberate imperfections, enhance its aesthetic appeal. Consider the social context: textiles like these were historically important commodities, traded along the Silk Road. Their production involved extensive labor, reflecting the hierarchies of skill, value, and often, exploitation, inherent in pre-industrial economies. The panel invites us to consider the interplay between material, process, and cultural significance, highlighting the complex relationship between art, craft, and labor.