The art of block printing has been practiced in Rajasthan for more than 500 years. The process starts with a laborious cleaning and bleaching of the cotton fabric to remove impurities and prepare the fiber to receive the dye. The fabric is immersed in a solution of camel dung, castor oil, soda ash, and water; then left in the sun to be bleached by oxidation. 

The hand-printing begins with the carving of detailed designs onto a wooden block. A separate block is required for each color in the design. The block is dipped in  dye and pressed onto the cloth, with each succeeding impression made in precisely the same manner. The hand process leads to irregularities that give these textiles their unique and nuanced charm.

Set of four 20" x 20" napkins