Kalamkari with mihrab design; Indo-Persian, 19th century.

Kalamkari with mihrab design; Indo-Persian, 19th century.
Polychrome pigments printed on cotton.
Measurements: 106 x 77 cm.

The general decoration of this kalamkari forms a mihrab, composed of a multitude of decorative registers (bouquets and mandorlas, architecture, cypresses and birds, vases and jars) around a central niche decorated with a series of flowers on a red background. It is topped with a calligraphic cartouche that is a praise to God and finally a border as a frieze decorated in the lower part.

Kalamkari is an ancient textile printing art that has its roots in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This ancient form of textile printing is believed to have developed about 3,000 years ago in Andhra Pradesh. Kalamkari gained popularity in South India during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. Kalam means "feather" and Kari means "art", a name given to it by the Mughals when they discovered this art during their reign in the Deccan region. Kalamkari uses only natural dyes and consists of twenty-three steps. There are two main styles of Kalamkari. Block printing is practiced in the town of Machilipatnam and the hand-painted style is mostly practiced in the town of Srikalahasti, both located in Andhra Pradesh.