Indian Bunta Textile Printing Block

Square slab of jammed-together blooms, edges ragged like a garden that overflowed.

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. Roughly square, dark brown-black block covered edge to edge with tight floral carving. A crack runs from the left edge partway inward. The outline is uneven, with chipped, wavy corners and a worn texture. It is 5.5 inches wide, 1.5 deep and 5.5 high.

No white space, no regrets, and plenty of petals.