In 18th-century Europe, Indian-dyed cloths known as Palampores were prized as hand-printed bed coverings and wall hangings. The inspiration for our pattern is a palampore featuring a flower-and-fruit-bearing serpentine tree emerging from a hillock with stylized peaks. Originally sourced to Sri Lanka, it was likely made for European communities in Batavia and Colombo, or for families of mixed European and Asian descent wishing to emulate Western taste. The Metropolitan Palampore print features an elemental design depicting a flower-and-fruit-bearing tree digitally printed on a cotton-and-linen blend. This pattern is also available in a complementary wallpaper and mural in various colorways.
This captivating collection, created in collaboration with The Met, draws on artworks and objects from across nine of The Met’s 17 curatorial departments to create a rich mosaic of historical narratives. Each design is a celebration of artisanship, inspired by exquisite forms and cultural traditions. Following our first collaboration with The Met in the 1970s, we bring museum magic into the home once again in homage to history and the grand beauty of art.
