With credit to the TAPI Collection, Surat, India here are scans of historic block printed textiles from Gujarat dating from between the 13thC and 15thC.
I may as well mutter something about brooding on borders for a title to this post. Zoomorphic images tend to be popular motifs in Indian textile designs and just when this became an accepted trend is hard to define on a time-line.
Extent examples suggest that these were well
and t
ruly established features by the 16thC and there are certainly examples dating from the 1400's where you see horses, elephants and yes, people. 18thC surviving textiles have hares and camels included.
Judging by the 13th and 14thC Hindu manuscript illustrations these details aren't supported. Suggestions of geometric shapes on the fields of the fabrics are common and certainly there was some sort of border decoration. Most commonly represented as multiple curving lines in a wave or cloud pattern, almost Far Asian or Art Deco in look and feel. I cannot get past the idea that this is a simplified treatment to convey the idea of a decorative treatment rather than an actual pattern from daily life.
What is manifest is that the images of birds proliferate. Predominantly the Hamsa (goose) and the peacock and the range is extensive as far as design interpretation goes since I see very realistic and very graphic and decorative representations of these fowls. Having said that I am close to burn out on the concept manipulation and development of my own peacock at this point and need to shelve the project for a few weeks so it can bubble away merrily before I start re-developing it afresh. This means that I should move away from all fowl inspiration or risk becoming frustrated and lack luster in my own works.
This decision leaves me with either animals as in mammals or floral motifs to play with. The extent examples dating from the 13thC/early 14thC are a challenge I need to think well on. Decisions, decisions and choices ... always choices.
Extent examples suggest that these were well
and t
ruly established features by the 16thC and there are certainly examples dating from the 1400's where you see horses, elephants and yes, people. 18thC surviving textiles have hares and camels included.Judging by the 13th and 14thC Hindu manuscript illustrations these details aren't supported. Suggestions of geometric shapes on the fields of the fabrics are common and certainly there was some sort of border decoration. Most commonly represented as multiple curving lines in a wave or cloud pattern, almost Far Asian or Art Deco in look and feel. I cannot get past the idea that this is a simplified treatment to convey the idea of a decorative treatment rather than an actual pattern from daily life.
What is manifest is that the images of birds proliferate. Predominantly the Hamsa (goose) and the peacock and the range is extensive as far as design interpretation goes since I see very realistic and very graphic and decorative representations of these fowls. Having said that I am close to burn out on the concept manipulation and development of my own peacock at this point and need to shelve the project for a few weeks so it can bubble away merrily before I start re-developing it afresh. This means that I should move away from all fowl inspiration or risk becoming frustrated and lack luster in my own works.
This decision leaves me with either animals as in mammals or floral motifs to play with. The extent examples dating from the 13thC/early 14thC are a challenge I need to think well on. Decisions, decisions and choices ... always choices.
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