Panel c. 19th century

This textile panel was made by an anonymous artist, and its repeating floral and geometric motifs offer a window into the cultural values of its place of origin. The elaborate design, rendered in rich colors, suggests a society that prized beauty and craftsmanship. Given the geometric motifs, it may have been created in a culture with Islamic traditions, where the representation of living beings in art was often avoided. Without knowing the precise origins of the piece, we can still consider the social conditions that made such an object possible. How did the artist learn their craft? Who was the intended audience? What role did textiles play in the economy and trade networks of the time? Historians can consult a variety of resources to address these questions, including textile archives, trade records, and studies of material culture. This panel is not merely a decorative object, but an artifact that encapsulates the tastes, beliefs, and social structures of its time.