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Palampore 1993-332
Palampore (for bed curtain or counterpane)
Palampore 1993-332

Palampore (for bed curtain or counterpane)

Date1750-1775
OriginAsia, India (export to Europe, France (probably))
MediumCotton, mordant-painted and resist-dyed.
DimensionsOW: 86 1/2"; OL: 120 1/2"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1993-332
DescriptionRectangular panel for a bed curtain or counterpane, mordant-painted and resist dyed in madder colors with blue, yellow, and green in a design of cornucopiae and isolated flowers. Seventeen-inch wide floral border is framed by narrower floral scrolling bands on either side. The center field has 4 purple cornucopia filled with flowers in each inner corner, along with scattered isolated flowers, some with cornucopia or scrolls. A large center flower grows from scrolled ground.
Label TextIndian printers made large panels such as this using laborious techniques of hand painting with chemical fixatives known as mordants and then dyeing the panel to produce reds, pinks, and purples. Separate processes for creating blue involved covering the entire panel with wax except those areas intended to be blue, followed by a separate dyeing in indigo. Each panel could take as much as a month to produce.

European merchants often suggested patterns to be copied in India to appeal to western taste. The floral cornucopia was one such popular motif, rendered here in dark purple shades. It is possible that the original design sent to India was a black and white print that was copied literally in monochrome.

MarkingsTamil stamp, according to dealer (but not located to date).
ProvenancePurchased in France.