Fragment of a velvet carpet, silk

The fragment is most probably part of the main panel of a large velvet carpet with borders. The decoration resembles both the designs found in contemporary pietra dura work, in which semi-precious stones are inlaid in marble, and the design of Indian pile carpets, with flowers arranged in a latticework consisting of vines and leaves.

In India’s hot climate, thin summer carpets of velvet and printed or embroidered cotton textiles were popular and widely used, and they are often seen on contemporary miniatures.