Woodblock 1785 - 1799

This woodblock was created by the Swaislands Fabric Printing Works. Though undated, such blocks were widely used to print textiles during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, a period marked by significant industrial and social change. The block’s intricate, repeating pattern gives us insight into the labor and skill involved in textile production before mechanization fully took hold. Each impression of the block would transfer the design onto fabric, contributing to larger patterns and designs. The textiles produced through this process were not merely functional, but also reflected social status and taste. Consider the hands that carved this block, and the many hands that would have been involved in the fabric printing process. This object encapsulates a complex web of human effort, artistry, and the historical narratives woven into the fabrics of our lives.