Figured mat with zigzag pattern (chitarape) late 19th-early 20th century

Editor: This is a "Figured mat with zigzag pattern" from the late 19th to early 20th century. It is fiber art, a textile also referred to as "chitarape." I am drawn to the geometric organization here, that really emphasizes material properties, what do you see? Curator: The construction is remarkably unified; observe how the zigzag motif acts as a counterpoint to the horizontality of the woven fibers. Note also the limited palette: earth tones accented with stark, rhythmic lines in black. It yields a visually arresting study of contrasts. The composition adheres to a strict geometric order. Editor: How important is it to understand what the zigzag represents? Is that a culturally specific symbolic form? Curator: While contextual knowledge is beneficial, the work invites consideration of its own formal qualities. The beauty resides in the arrangement itself. Observe, for example, the tension between the natural irregularity of the fiber and the perfect geometry of the lines. Do you discern this dialogue between nature and artifice? Editor: I think I do, particularly in the inconsistent spacing between the stitched pattern near the edges. So even without understanding exactly where and when this was made, we can appreciate how the piece uses formal elements to create balance, tension, and visual interest. Curator: Precisely! We are responding to the artist's engagement with materiality and form. And such engagement transcends temporal and geographical boundaries. The piece operates as a testament to the universal power of abstraction. Editor: Right. Focusing on the piece's internal relationships between material and structure illuminates the mat beyond any one reading. Curator: Agreed, an analysis of its forms speaks for itself.