Shawl 1879

This 1879 "Shawl" from the Minneapolis Institute of Art is a beautiful example of block printing, a traditional technique for creating intricate patterns on fabric. The shawl features a repetitive design of stylized floral motifs in black against a light-colored background. This type of textile art is common in South Asia and demonstrates the skill of anonymous artisans who created these highly detailed designs. The shawl's large size and rich detail suggest it may have been a garment of prestige or a treasured heirloom.