‏ Detail of a palampore (wall hanging or bed cover)

Trade textiles like chintz and palampores were produced in Northwestern and Southeastern part of India (formerly Coromandel Coast) for the European market particularly from the 17th century to 19th century and were used as wall hangings, bed covers, coverlets and clothing. Kalamkari (penwork - dyes are applied with hand using a bamboo pen or with a block) was one of the techniques which was used by artisans to achieve layers of colors and patterns. With white cotton cloth as the base, botanical motifs on palampores are dyed in reds, blues, yellows and greens. Iran was one of the ports through which cloth that was exported from India would travel to Europe.

Densely scattered with floral motifs, this palampore, consists of two tree of life motifs emerging from two opposite ends of the cloth, forming a mirror image. Four minaret like elements at the corner and a central medallion indicate a resemblance with Islamic design.