Cover

This quilted cover is an example of qalamkari (“pen-work”), a traditional technique of decorating cotton with dyes. The design features a central medallion on a red field patterned with butahs in off-set repeat. The central medallion and quarter medallions in the corners combine birds, blossoms, leaves, and knot patterns. Two wide borders contain running floral scrolls; and multiple guard stripes hold small floral motifs. The design employs the traditional four colors (black, red, blue, and yellow) and has been created by block printing and wax resist.