A Rustic Woodblock: Nailed Dots

mid to late twentieth century
9" x 7 1/4" x 2 3/4", 23 cm x 18.25 cm x 7 cm

This beautiful object from India is a block used for printing fabric. What is interesting about it is that it is not hand carved from one piece of wood as most blocks are, but rather the block is constructed by carved pieces of wood that are hammered into formation through the back of the wood support.

As can be easily seen, two of the raised pieces are missing and the rest bear the mark of the dyestuff that this block was dipped into before it was pressed against cloth.

A really attractive thing and one with a simple beauty.