Sheet with overall red geometric and floral pattern 1700 - 1800

This small sheet features an overall geometric and floral pattern, block-printed in red ink, by an anonymous maker. The process of block printing involves carving a design into a block, applying ink, and then pressing the block onto a surface. The visual characteristics of the print reveal this process, particularly through the slightly irregular edges of the floral and circular motifs, and the grid they create. This hints at the manual labor involved in both carving the block and applying the repeated pattern. Block printing is an ancient technique with roots in many cultures. Its use here speaks to a rich history of textile production and pattern-making, one that has often been marginalized as 'craft' rather than 'art'. In its time, this kind of printed textile would have had a place within a broader economy of labor, trade, and consumption, bringing accessible design to everyday life. Ultimately, this small sheet invites us to consider the value of the handmade in a world increasingly dominated by industrial production, challenging us to look beyond conventional hierarchies of art and craft.