Decortype › Textiles & Embroidery › Printed & Painted Cloth

Kalamkari

South Asia tradition · 5 examples · indicative market tier: $5k–50k (serious collector)

Kalamkari, also commonly spelled as qalamkari, is an ancient textile printing art, that originated in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kalamkari gained popularity in the South India during the reign of Vijayanagara Empire. Kalam implies 'pen' and Kari means 'art', a name given by the Mughals when they discovered the art during their reign over the Deccan region. Wikipedia →

Types & examples

Painted cotton with medallion and figures
Painted cotton with medallion and figures, 15th century
Art Institute of Chicago
Palampore
Palampore, 18th century
Art Institute of Chicago
Palampore
Palampore, 1775-1825
Art Institute of Chicago
Palampore
Palampore, first quarter of the 18th century
The Met
Palampore
Palampore, ca. 1700–1800
The Met

Where to buy

1stDibsHigh-end antiques & design marketplaceBrowse listings → LiveAuctioneersAggregated live auctions worldwideBrowse listings → InvaluableAuction-house listings & price archiveBrowse listings → Christie'sMajor-auction results & upcoming salesBrowse listings → EtsyLiving artisans & vintage dealersBrowse listings → eBayBroad secondary market — vet sellers carefullyBrowse listings →

Each link opens a live, image-rich search for this craft on that marketplace. Listings rotate constantly; authenticate significant pieces independently — attribution quality varies widely outside museum collections.