Cutout 1867 - 1917

This "Cutout" was made by Lockwood de Forest, an American artist associated with the Aesthetic Movement, though he worked in India. The piece reflects the artist's interest in incorporating Indian design elements into Western decorative arts. The intricate, filigree-like pattern, featuring stylized birds amid foliage, speaks to the visual codes of Indian craftsmanship. De Forest was deeply involved in the Arts and Crafts movement, which reacted against industrial manufacturing processes. His work raises interesting questions about cultural exchange, colonialism, and the adaptation of non-Western art traditions for a Western market. Further research into De Forest's relationship with Indian artisans, his design firm, and the market for "exotic" goods in the United States would provide even greater insight into the social and cultural forces that shaped this unusual artwork.