Indian Textile Printing Block

A knotted rope border frames two mirrored creatures of scrollwork and coiled shapes.

This carved wood textile printing block is from Varanasi, India, and dates to the 20th century. Printing blocks are usually carved from a dense, fine-grained wood, because the design must hold sharp edges through many repeated impressions. Closer in, a rectangular slab with a looping, ribbon-like border along the top and bottom. In the center, symmetrical curled forms flank a small drilled hole on each side. One lower edge looks chipped, and the surface is a matte charcoal. It is 6 inches wide, 2.5 deep and 3 high.

Symmetry achieved by hand, with all the small wobbles intact.