Textile fragment 14th-15th century

This textile fragment, of unknown date and maker, now resides in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The red fabric is adorned with figures that seem to dance across its surface. Consider the hands that dyed and printed this cloth. Their identities are now obscured. Whose stories are woven into its threads? We can imagine this textile being circulated along the routes of global trade, carrying with it the cultural values and aesthetics of its place of origin, perhaps India. The figures depicted remind us of shadow puppets, suggesting storytelling, performance, and the transmission of cultural narratives. The repetition of the figures evokes ideas of community, ritual, and shared experiences. This piece invites us to think about the way textiles have historically served as a form of non-verbal communication, bearing witness to human experiences. It makes you wonder what stories this textile could tell, if only it could speak.