Antique Block Printed Mezzaro Wall Hanging with Tree of Life Ship Figures Giraffe: C1830 Genoa, Italy

Item Details.
Made for the European market in the style of earlier 18th century Indian Palampores, these hand blocked and hand painted Tree of Life hangings were produced in Genoa, Italy for the European market during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Mezzaro’s blended elements from both the East and the West, and thus one is no exception, including a three-masted square-rigged ship, likely a frigate or a merchant vessel from the 18th Centuy. The dark hull with a row of painted "ports" (the blue squares at the stern) is a style often seen in historical depictions of Royal Navy frigates or East India Company merchant ships. 

Originally used by Genoese woman as a veil or head covering.

Block printed in blues, browns, taupes, pinks and reds which will suit most modern and more traditional interiors.

These are extremely versatile textiles and work well as bed-hangings (which was their original purpose) as a wall hanging, a door curtain/portier, as a wall hanging or it could be lined and hung at a window.

In good antique condition with some historical repairs and darning, an overall patina of age as you would expect in an antique textile, including some water or foxing marks which it may be possible to remove or improve upon by specialist conservator.

Please see our other listings for more Mezzaros and other Tree of Life hangings which we specialise in. https://hannahwhyman.co.uk/collections/projects/products/antique-block-print-mezzaro-with-tree-of-life-c19th-genoa-italy 

 An image of a similar Mezzaro but with a paisley border is in: Cloth That Changed The World - The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz edited by Sarah Fee (I highly recommend this wonderful book)

Measurements:
260 x 252

Further Notes.
We have lots more original and quality vintage items and textiles in our shop, https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheTextileTreasury
Where possible, we use recycled packaging when shipping items.