Very rare and very large matching pair of Persian Kalamkari curtains or tent panels. Signed and dated 1892. Each 185cm x 351cm (72.8 x 138 inches) made of two joined loom widths.
Each piece has been block printed, hand painted, and mordant and resist-dyed as part of a highly complex and skilled process involving 23 separate stages. Kalamkari (derived from the words qalam (pen) and kari (craftmanship) are luxurious, expensive and highly sought after textiles.
The unusual size, along with their being an identical pair, suggest they may have been originally created as tent panels, used similarly to the ones found in the famous Tipu Sultans tent. They have since been lined and possibly (given the weight) inter-lined for use as curtains and they hang beautifully when pleated. (Please note, they aren't currently pleated, we have just clipped them that way in some of the images).
The central white cartouche, in Persian nasta’liq script, reading: ‘From Haji Ali Al Wahhab ibn Haji Mohammad’s Factory”. The date 1310, (1892) and the number 110 (spelling Ali in Abjad numerical lettering). See Lot 336 at Christies Arts & Textiles of the Islamic & Indian Worlds (April 2016) for a similar panel, utilising an identical border and likely produced at the same workshop.
Condition
Gentle wear and minor yellowing to the cotton consistent with age and use, some bleeding to the pigments and 'colouring accidents' with pigments transfer, otherwise strong, stable and very decorative. One panel, the left in our images where they are hung together, is stronger, brighter with only minimal fading to the dyes. The other has some discolouration at the fold points from prolonged exposure to sunlight, these being predominantly visible in the central field. The dyes are also more faded on this one, the blues less strong. There is a small L shaped tear (along the lines of the cotton weave) 4.5cm x 5cm, positioned 90cm from the bottom of this panel, near the right centre in the central field.
Please see extra images available here, and natural light video here. These form an important part of the description and can't all be included on the listing.
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Rare and Very Large matching pair Kalamkari Hangings
We are happy to accept returned items if they arrive damaged or are not as described. No other reason will guarantee a refund. Please study images carefully, they count as part of the description. We are happy to supply additional information and images on request