Design
c.1920 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a design for a mat to be manufactured from coir, the coarse fibre found between the husk and the outer shell of the coconut. The raw material had been used for centuries in the East, but only in the late 19th century did it begin to established its presence in the West often as a household product such as a mat. Initially, European business men set up businesses in Kerala, India, centred around the town of Alleppey.
It is likely that this design was created in the 1920s or early 1930s possibly by a company set up by native entrepreneurs in Alleppey or by European designers in London. The object draws on the Western styles of the period, using Art Deco motifs, and thus seems to have been designed for a European or an American market. At the same time, there is an overt Oriental influence. The group of designs to which it belongs makes frequent use of figurative botanical motifs, multiple wavy lines and flecks which differentiates it from classic Art Deco designs of the period.
It is likely that this design was created in the 1920s or early 1930s possibly by a company set up by native entrepreneurs in Alleppey or by European designers in London. The object draws on the Western styles of the period, using Art Deco motifs, and thus seems to have been designed for a European or an American market. At the same time, there is an overt Oriental influence. The group of designs to which it belongs makes frequent use of figurative botanical motifs, multiple wavy lines and flecks which differentiates it from classic Art Deco designs of the period.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | watercolour on paper |
| Brief description | Design for a coir mat, possibly London or Alleppey, India, c.1920 |
| Physical description | Rectangular design on cream card of shades of brown, cream, red, green, and black. In the bottom left hand corner black branches of a leafy tree have been painted over a circle with four rays coming out of it, resembling the rays of the sun in cream, brown and red. Abstractly painted box like shapes are in the top left hand corner and on the right side of the design. Also on the right is a design of entwined, black leaves |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | This design is labelled C.D. 52 on the bottom in the centre, and is stamped on the reverse S.Pitchu Iyer and Sons Ltd., Manufacturers of Coir Mats and Matting, Alleppey |
| Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko. |
| Summary | This is a design for a mat to be manufactured from coir, the coarse fibre found between the husk and the outer shell of the coconut. The raw material had been used for centuries in the East, but only in the late 19th century did it begin to established its presence in the West often as a household product such as a mat. Initially, European business men set up businesses in Kerala, India, centred around the town of Alleppey. It is likely that this design was created in the 1920s or early 1930s possibly by a company set up by native entrepreneurs in Alleppey or by European designers in London. The object draws on the Western styles of the period, using Art Deco motifs, and thus seems to have been designed for a European or an American market. At the same time, there is an overt Oriental influence. The group of designs to which it belongs makes frequent use of figurative botanical motifs, multiple wavy lines and flecks which differentiates it from classic Art Deco designs of the period. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.327-2012 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
