Indian Textile Printing Block

Big rosettes and a pair of paisleys take turns across a field of ruled lines.

This carved wood textile printing block is from Varanasi, India, and dates to the 20th century. Block printing is done by pressing a carved wooden block, coated with dye or paste, onto cloth, and the block can be reused to repeat a motif. A low rectangular slab with a framed band of tiny cross motifs above and below. The center holds round flower heads and curled paisley shapes over fine horizontal ridges. Surface is dark, dry and slightly worn, with one corner chipped away. It is 6.25 inches wide, 2.75 deep and 2.75 high.

Built to repeat itself politely, mile after mile of cloth.