Sheet with overall floral pattern 1800 - 1900

This sheet with an overall floral pattern was likely made with a woodblock and mordant dye. This is a technique where the design is carved into a block of wood, which is then inked and pressed onto the fabric. The image shows a repeat pattern of flowers and foliage, contained within a diamond grid. Look closely, and you can see the small imperfections and overlaps of the print, evidence of the hand-made process. The paper itself shows a slight texture, which would have affected the clarity of the print. This type of printed textile was most likely a sample, intended to showcase a particular design. The production of textiles like this would have been a labor-intensive process, involving the skills of the carver, the dyer, and the printer. The final textile might have been used for clothing, or for interior decoration. So while the sheet looks simple enough, it represents a great deal of work. It reminds us that even the most functional of objects have a rich story of making behind them.