Servet met dessin van garoeda's, geweven voor de prins Mangkoe Nagoro VII van Soerakarta. c. 1928

This is a napkin, designed by Chris Lebeau and woven for Prince Mangkoe Nagoro VII, showcasing repeating motifs in gentle shades of white and grey. Imagine Lebeau at his drawing board, thinking through how the imagery will look when woven into fabric. He’s not just creating a design; he’s thinking about texture and how the light will catch on each thread. The garudas—mythical bird-like creatures—and stylized flowers create a grid that feels both formal and organic. The evenness of the woven design creates a meditative quality. There's a real conversation happening here between the artist's design and the weaver's craft, each informing the other. You know, artists are always in conversation with each other, across time and place. This napkin is part of that ongoing dialogue, a small but beautiful contribution to the world of art and design.