Mattress cover (Yathra denkheb) c. 20th century

This is a mattress cover, a "Yathra denkheb", and it was made by an anonymous artist. Looking at this piece, I'm struck by the dance of pattern. It’s a careful arrangement of shapes in blue and red, with each element placed just so. The surface has an almost quilted feel, which is not unlike the experience of building up a painting through layers, where the final image emerges from a process of accumulation and refinement. Up close, I love the tiny diamond shapes in the middle section. They feel like a microcosm of the larger design, but they also have their own internal logic. It's this kind of attention to detail that really draws me in. It speaks to a deep understanding of the medium. This cover reminds me a bit of the work of Anni Albers, who also explored the intersection of textile design and abstract art. Like Albers, the maker isn’t just creating a functional object, they're engaging in a visual conversation. It’s a reminder that art is all around us, if we take the time to look.