Wall Hanging: Triumphal Arch (detail). Bengal, mid-17th century. |
EXPLORE THE EXHIBITION
In the early 1500s the Portuguese established trading ports throughout the Indian Ocean, initiating an extensive commercial network that soon stretched throughout Asia. Portuguese traders returned to Europe with luxury objects of superb artistry, often fashioned from exotic materials. In turn, European works of art were eagerly sought by the Mughal emperors who ruled much of the Indian Subcontinent by 1600. The precious objects in this exhibition - made of ivory, mother-of-pearl, crystal, gold, and gemstones - vividly illustrate this dynamic exchange.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is a rare silk embroidery made in Bengal specifically for export to Portugal. Unique in imagery, the textile depicts a triumphal arch surrounded by a myriad of birds, beasts, and humans, making it one of the richest and most fascinating products of trade between India and the West in the 17th century.
Curated by Pedro Moura Carvalho.
Luxury for Export is made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
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