Double Cotton Bedspread Tapestry, Blue Gold Elephant Tree

A large cotton bedspread from India, printed with a blue and gold elephant and tree motif that works equally well draped across a bed or pinned flat as a statement wall textile. The design is bold enough to anchor a room on its own.

The design

Deep blue forms the ground, with gold detailing picking out the elephant and the branching tree above it, a pairing that appears across South Asian decorative traditions as a symbol of strength, memory, and the natural world. The composition is generous and symmetrical, the kind of pattern that draws the eye without overwhelming a space.

• The blue and gold palette sits well against natural linens, warm timber, and terracotta tones.
• The elephant motif is a recurring figure in Indian textile art, associated with steadiness and good fortune across Hindu and Buddhist visual culture.
• The tree element adds vertical movement to the design, balancing the weight of the elephant below.
• The overall composition reads clearly from a distance, making it as effective on a wall as it is on a bed.

Cotton, made in India

Woven from cotton and printed in India, where block-printing and screen-printing on cotton have been a craft tradition for centuries. At 600 g, the cloth has a medium weight, substantial enough to lie flat and hold its shape, light enough to fold away easily. The cotton weave gives it a soft, slightly textured hand that improves with washing.

Size and what's included

This is a double-size bedspread. One piece is included. Check the listing dimensions for the exact measurements in centimetres before ordering, as printed textiles of this type can vary slightly in finished size.

How to style it

As a bedspread, lay it flat across a double bed and let it fall to the sides, or fold it across the foot for a layered look. As a wall hanging, lightweight clip rings or a slim wooden dowel threaded through a folded top hem are the gentlest options, both avoid putting stress on the weave. It also works thrown over a sofa back or used as a floor covering in a reading corner.

Care

Wash gently in cool water with a mild detergent for the first wash, as deep-dyed printed cottons can release a little colour initially. Do not wring. Dry flat or in the shade rather than in a tumble dryer. If ironing is needed, turn the textile face-down and use a moderate setting on the reverse to protect the print. Always follow the care label on the piece itself.

Origin and craft

India has produced printed cotton textiles for export since at least the seventeenth century, when block-printed cloth from Gujarat and Rajasthan reached markets across Europe and the Middle East. The elephant has been a constant motif in that tradition, appearing on ceremonial textiles, temple hangings, and everyday cloth alike. This bedspread sits within that long lineage of decorative cotton printing, made for a contemporary home but drawing on a visual language with deep roots.

A considered gift

It suits anyone furnishing a first flat, a holiday home, or a bedroom that needs a focal point without a large investment. The dual use, bed or wall, makes it a practical gift for someone who likes to rearrange a space on a whim.

Common questions

Can it be used as a wall hanging without a rod or frame?
Yes. The simplest approach is a set of curtain clip rings along the top edge, hung from a slim rail or a length of dowel. This keeps the weight distributed evenly and avoids putting strain on any single point of the weave.

Will the colours run in the wash?
Deep-dyed printed cottons sometimes release a little colour in the first wash. Wash it separately in cool water the first time, and avoid soaking. After that initial wash, the colour typically stabilises.

Is this suitable for a single bed?
It is sized for a double bed. On a single, it would overhang considerably on both sides, which some people prefer for a layered, draped look, but it is worth bearing in mind.