Indian Textile Printing Block

A feathery frond sweeps across the face between a few open four-petaled blooms.

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. By outline, a slab with a jagged, asymmetrical outline and a hint of reddish brown at one edge. Finely cut leaf shapes and long paisley curves cover the face. Several round holes interrupt the pattern, and the black surface looks dry and worn. It is 7 inches wide, 2.5 deep and 5 high.

Cut off at the edges, and unbothered by it.