Pakistani Ralli or Patchwork Quilt

Black and white, nine squares at a time.

This ralli, or patchwork quilt, was made in Pakistan in the mid to late 20th century from cotton. Rallis are commonly associated with Sindh and are made as coverlets and floor cloths. The design here is entirely black and white: a repeating nine-patch of small checkered blocks forms a lattice of crosses across the field. A broad border of white then charcoal frames it, with fine stitching around the edge. The cloth is soft and a little faded, with a clean, graphic look.

About 90 by 52 inches. As stylish as a chessboard, and much softer.