Floral Tent Panel

Unknown

ca. 1635 · Silk, gold; cut velvet, painted · Islamic Art

In the lavish encampments used by Indian rulers when traveling, tents were lined with beautiful textiles. This panel, from the interior of a tent complex probably made for Raja Jai Singh l (r. 1611–67) of Amber, indicates the ambiance of such tent cities. The velvet panel has five compartments, each containing a poppy plant under an arch, with floral and leaf scrolls in the spandrels. The gold decoration was made by covering parts of the design with an adhesive substance, then placing gold leaf on top of the adhesive, beating it into the surface, and burnishing it.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1635

Medium

Silk, gold; cut velvet, painted

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Bequest of Helen W. D. Mileham, by exchange, Wendy Findlay Gift, and funds from various donors, 1981