2016 Antique Russian Roller Print Trade Cloth Printed Stupa Cover
Printed square cloth used as a Stupa Cover during ceremonial processions in Ceylon
Well formed paisley patterns in the border. Note how perfectly the corners have been resolved to create hearts! This is the work of an artist and is not a mechanical production.
Russian printed cloth—typically referring to roller-printed cotton textiles produced in Russia, especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries—was widely traded across South and Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka (then Ceylon).
In the late 19th century – Early 20th century (circa 1870s–1930s)
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Russian printed cloth (often via Moscow and Ivanovo textile mills) began entering Sri Lanka through British colonial trade networks, especially via India.
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These were mass-produced cotton fabrics featuring bright floral, geometric, or paisley motifs—popular for women’s clothing, sarongs, and household textiles in Sri Lanka.
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Russian calicoes (cotton prints) were cheaper than English or Indian alternatives, making them widespread among rural and working-class communities.
152 x 160 cm
This beautiful remnant is estimated to be from the late 1800s-early 1900s
Damaged and mounted on a backing cloth
Ready to be framed.
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This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.
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