Fragment of Mawa' or Ma'a (Sacred Heirloom Textile)
late 14th or 15th century
Medium
Cotton, plain weave; block printed resist and mordeant dyed
Dimensions
121.9 × 94.5 cm (48 × 37 3/16 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
212379
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Textiles were the primary Indian goods traded for southeast Asian spices ultimately destined for European markets. This fragment is among the oldest extant Indian textiles found in southeast Asia. Made in Gujarat for the Indonesian market, it has been radiocarbon-dated to between 1382 and 1502. The pattern features a block-printed image arranged horizontally along the textile’s length, repeated without regard for vertical alignment in seven and a half rows. The repeat consists of a seated male f...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...