Bedcover or wall hanging (palampore)

ca. 1830

Place madeIndia, Asia

Cotton, linen

Overall: 139 x 103 x 1/8 in. ( 353.1 x 261.6 x 0.3 cm )

Gift of Miss Isabel G. Dod

1941.905

According to the donor, the palampore belonged to the the donor's maternal great-grandfather, Samuel McCulloh, who was born in Ireland and trained as a physician. McCulloh came to the U.S. before 1810 and served in the Navy during the War of 1812. He owned an estate, called "Rockland," outside of Baltimore, and clipper ships that carried cargo back and forth between the U.S. and parts of Asia. The central motif is referred to as the "Tree of Life."

DescriptionCotton bedcover or wall hanging (palampore) painted and block printed in rose, green, brown, and bluish gray against an ocher ground, with flowering tree atop a mound with jagged profile in central rectangle; tree is bifurcated at base, with two main branches that curve and intersect, creating a chain-like pattern against a dense backdrop of leaves and stems; a naked hunter, various animals, and stylized rock and plant forms are silhouetted against the patterned mound; wide border has inner frame with dense pattern of meandering vines surrounded by garlands separated by tassels; white linen backing (not original).

ClassificationsTEXTILES