Artwork Page for Lotus-blossom petal canopy

Details / Information for Lotus-blossom petal canopy

Lotus-blossom petal canopy

c. 1600

Northern India

Medium
silk: lampas
Measurements
Overall: 186.7 x 175.7 cm (73 1/2 x 69 3/16 in.); Mounted: 191.8 x 203.2 cm (75 1/2 x 80 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2006.136
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

The ceilings of sacred spaces throughout India were carved or painted with concentric circular lotus patterns; many also included textile canopies with the same designs. This exceptionally large example was woven in one complete section on a single loom. In India, the full-blown lotus flower bears solar connotations. It projects the radiance of a sacred or royal presence below. The motif of a dragon bearing down on a winged lion in each of the four corners indicates the designer’s recognition of a motif popular across Islamic Asia, from Turkey to Iran and Mughal India.
A square silk canopy features a geometric green lotus blossom opening out from the center in rings of yellow and red with added details in green and blue. A curling wavy pattern in these colors provides a square border to the flower with a lanky green dragon swooping down on a yellow-winged lion repeated in each of the four corners. The lotus alternates between petals and rings of repeated floral patterns.

Lotus-blossom petal canopy

c. 1600

Northern India

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