Indian Bunta Textile Printing Block

Consider a dark block carved so densely with flowers that no corner gets to rest.

This carved wood textile printing block is from Varanasi, India, and dates to the 20th century. Printing blocks are usually carved by hand from dense hardwood, and the maker cuts the design in relief so that raised areas take the dye. Viewed whole, a flat, rectangular block in charcoal black with a deeply cut pattern. Panels of blossoms, leaves and bordered scrollwork fill the face, with a bordered strip of foliage above and below. The edges are squared and slightly worn. It is 6 inches wide, 3 deep and 4 high.

Busy surface, calm color, and not one blank spot.