Near East, Iran / Persian, Shiraz, ca. 1890 CE. A wonderful and large wooden stamp carved with a leafy date palm motif. This stamp was used for a textile printing process known as Ghalamkar. The ovoid block is carved with the tree in relief, so only the raised areas will be printed on the cloth. Originally pen and ink was used to paint designs onto cloth, but printing blocks such as this expeditated the process and could replicate identical but intricate patterns across the entirety of the fabric. Cotton, silk, calico, flax and linen were the ideal materials to absorb the ink and dyes were made from natural sources such as turmeric, pomegranates, and indigo. Stamps featuring floral and geometric patterns were some of the most popular motifs. Size: 9" L x 2.375" W x 11.75" H (22.9 cm x 6 cm x 29.8 cm)

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection

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#142795

Stable pressure fissures. Nicks chips and abrasions to high pointed areas along peripheries. Motif is well preserved. Nice traces of pigments in crevices from printing process!