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Botanical
Handblock Prints
Digital production continues to cut a wide swath
in the fabric industry, but at least one Old World
method is still thriving: handblock prints. The
artisanal craft survives at Lee Jofa, which carries
stunning hand-blocked prints, most of which are
crafted in Thailand, though the art form originated
in India. They’re made by applying inked blocks of
carved wood on a ground cloth. Artisans hand-carve
designs on the blocks, to which absorbent felt is
affixed. They are then tapped with a hammer onto
the cloth, which produces a layered coloring. The dye
bleeds onto the back of the cloth, which is typically
linen or a linen blend, although some are cotton.
Many interior designers prefer using the reverse
of a handblock print because of its softer, more
Impressionistic look. Several of Lee Jofa’s handblock
prints are botanical in design. The popular
Hollyhock Print has been in continuous production
since the early 1920s. Another favorite botanical
print is the vibrant Tree of Life. Both are pictured.
– George Bulanda
LEE JOFA, SUITE 105The colorful Tree of Life is a popular handblock print
from Lee Jofa.
Lee Jofa’s Hollyhock Print has been in constant production
for nearly 100 years.
Photos courtesy of Lee Jofa