Velvet Panel with Rows of Flowers

Unknown

mid-17th century · Silk, cut and voided velvet, with continuous floats of flat metal wrapped thread · Islamic Art

Textiles depicting formally arranged, naturalistic flowers on a neutral background were produced in great numbers during the reign of the emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1628–58). This distinctly Mughal decorative style developed from the influence of European herbal illustrations on traditional Indian depictions of nature. Despite their connection to medical illustrations, these roses and lilies, while naturalistic, have been altered for aesthetic reasons and are not botanically correct.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid-17th century

Medium

Silk, cut and voided velvet, with continuous floats of flat metal wrapped thread

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

The Alice and Nasli Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Alice Heeramaneck, 1991