One of a set of textiles illustrating steps in the ajrakh printing process
Maker: Jabbar Khatri
Medium:Block-printed cotton tabby
Geography: Dhamadka, Gujarat, India
Date: 2017
Object number: 2017.68.1.6
Credit Line: This acquisition was made possible with the generous support of the ROM Governors Textile Endowment Fund
Gallery Location:The Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles & Costume
DescriptionBlock-printing coloured pattern process set. Block printers use carved wooden blocks to stamp pastes and create colours and patterns: stamp pastes made from iron or alum mordants thickened with ground seeds and flour—that attract dye colorants; stamp pastes made of gum arabic or clay that repel dye; soak the cloth in a series of dye baths to build up coloured pattern. Major steps in printing coloured pattern: printing resist for white outlines; printing iron mordant; printing alum mordant and printing resist on areas to repel indigo; repeated dipping in indigo; removing resist; steeping in red dye; washing and sun bleaching.
