child's hooded cap, unknown maker from India

Exhibition Label: “Flowers, Dragons and Pine Trees: Asian Textiles in the Spencer Museum of Art,” Nov-2005, Mary Dusenbury Imagery from the Islamic Mughal court (1526-1857) and creatures from Hindu mythology adorn this small hooded cap. Flowering plants, peacocks, parrots and courtly women evoke images of palace gardens. Elephants, majestic and powerful, were royal mounts believed to be cousins of the clouds, endowed with the power to bring rain. The caparisoned elephant in this lush garden setting evokes the ruler of the garden in his role as preserver of peace and harmony. The woman who embroidered this little hood created a world of harmony, beauty, and abundance to envelop a small child.