Chintz strip
Unknown Artist
ca. 1700
Medium
Cotton, painted and dyed
Dimensions
confirmed: 9 ft. 8 in. × 19 1/2 in. (294.6 × 49.5 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Painted and Dyed
Culture
Indian, for the European market
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Karen B. Cohen, in honor of Rochelle C. Rosenberg, 2022
Accession Number
2022.147.8
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Chintz strip*, crafted around 1700, exemplifies the vibrant artistry of Indian textile production tailored for eager European consumers. Measuring nearly 10 feet long but only 19 inches wide this cotton panel—painted and dyed with intricate floral motifs—was likely used as a border for garments, bed hangings, or upholstery. Produced in India, it reflects the booming global trade era dominated by the East India Company, when such luxurious fabrics flooded European markets, sparking fashion frenzies from England to France. Chintz, derived from the Hindi word *chint* meaning "spo...