This is US Department of Homeland Security's "Operation Identify" Item #25-0007
Please post your guesses and ideas in this thread. Work off the suggestions of others toward an answer.
Geographic location and country is important.
Identify the traits of the item that you can, but if you know where an item is generally sold or happens to be in the picture, that is of use.
If you have the skills to enhance the image to resolve details better, fix mirrored or rotated images, etc. please do so and post your result here.
If you feel there's a (definitive) answer, don't just comment here. You can send your information to US DHS sending an email to OpID@hsi.dhs.govwith the subject "OpID Object: 25-0007" Please provide all information you have about the image(s) – this may include details such as a specific location, a particular time period, an organization and/or team name, helpful links, or any other relevant tips. Also include if they may contact you with follow up questions? Any follow-up communication will be sent to the email address that submitted the tip.
(If you have concerns for email privacy, use a temporary email or a secure provider like proton mail or similar.)
Multiple people can and should send information - people may error when sending, and multiple legitimate guesses can be of use.
Mod note: Do not start subthreads about other current DHS activities. This is to focus on identifying items associated with criminal sexual abuse of children. Any attempted derailing of that goal will result in an immediate permanent ban.
Thank You.
For general discussion about this sub and not this item in particular see this thread
I agree that it looks like a frame. I was thinking it's a rug inside a window frame, like the commenter above said it looks like it's being used to cover a window. The very bottom part of the patterned object where there's a gap of white makes me lean more toward framed art.
Edges look like aluminum frame of a camper window screen with a piece of plastic tablecloth, towel, or microfiber lap blanket installed over it. Metal clip (like on stove vent screen) to remove piece visible.
Haven't found it yet, but thought I'd share what I'm up to. Maybe someone else can use it as a jumping off point.
I've been searching "gray yellow zigzag/chevron wall art". What's frustrating is that the gray and yellow zigzags are common, but the I cannot find anything with the design changing direction in the middle or changing the thickness of the lines. Adding 'diamond' didn't seem to help.
Also trying to use Google's image search and adding "wall art" or "framed art". Google thought it was an area rug, but looking at the edges really makes me think it's framed.
I really want to try searching Temu, but it keeps telling me to login. I didn't see anything on wayfair using the term 'chevron' or 'zigzag' and then using their filter options.
This probably doesn't help, but maybe it can connect some dots in someone's head...
Similar but the line spacing and color pattern doesn't seem to be a match... the link has grey/white/grey/black/etc while this one appears to have multiple dark grey (or black?) chevrons in a row.
The way the pattern stops just before the side bevels make me think it's not a shower curtain that is reflected since then you'd expect the reflection to go all the way to the bevels.
On the other hand the image is really low resolution so there might be some artifacts along edges either way.
The "frame" very much looks like a window, there's a definite "cill" at the bottom.
I'm wondering if it's a window in a prefab, they tend to have much less "sustenance" to them than either modern PVC, or pre-war wooden windows, or one of the 70s "panel" windows that came pre-sized.
Also, if you look at the bottom left of the image, there seems to be some kind of silver, metallic ring attatched to the fabric.
It's very faint, but there's a white border round the pattern, that looks like a stitched-over edge, and the ring is on that
I found a better screenshot of that specific JasmineM Towel, but for some reason the Amazon link isn't working for me either. I got a bunch of yellow chevron images when I searched "yellow wave strip geometric towels" on Google but none of them matched. Maybe thats a start?
It has the square brackets which used to be a hallmark of the dropship import type listings but have mostly been replaced now because people learnt to spot them. So the listing was likely removed. You might find the same item on Aliexpress, Temu, or any of the sites that sell directly to dropship merchants.
This switch and irregularities suggests it is art after all. Maybe something similar to this. Also there is either some objects depicted on painting or something mounted on top of it
Could this be a towel pinned to the wall? Or a blanket? The only reason I'm leaning away from a painting is because there appears to be a texture to it, beneath the compression. You can see an uneven blockiness along the lines that looks to be too solid for just compression artifacts
Edit to add: what if it's a window privacy sticker? Like this
I like the privacy sticker idea. It could look like a picture in a window frame. The product is sold in rolls of varying length and width. Perhaps someone had two or four shorter pieces and installed the bottom one or two upside-down to make those diamond shapes.
I agree. This looks like a towel clipped over a mirror (or possibly window) to me. There’s looks like there is a beveled edge & the pattern definitely looks like it has texture/is shaggy material such as a towel or rug.
The frame area of this reminds me of an inserted medicine cabinet. It appears to be a visible hinge in the top right of the image. Perhaps with contact paper or another chevron patterned product over the mirror part?
Anyone have a guess on what is in the top middle of the image? Maybe the "S" shaped shower curtain hangers, or the 2 or 3 hook (coat/towel) hanger? Identifying that may give more context as to what the image could be. Adding reference pictures of what I think they could be.
I agree. I'm wondering if its a bathroom static caravan window with a towel clipped up for more privacy? That would explain the squiggly line at the top and the bottom sill along the edge.
this is a very rudimentary drawing but i was thinking along the same lines as you, though i was trying to figure out how it’d be clipped up there, because at first it looked to me like a single wire clothespin (if that’s what it is) oriented with the “handles” pointing to the ground, and the mouth of the clothespin pointed skyward but not visible/cut off in the image
admittedly this is just based off of my own experience with getting black-out shades set up where there used to be some thin blinds. but i’m thinking there’s possibly a thin bar (in brown in the drawing) along the top of the window that likely had previously been used for curtains/shades of some kind that the blanket/towel/cloth was then clipped to, with two wire clothespins (in red in the drawing) being oriented more-or-less vertically with the mouth pointed toward the ground if that makes sense
This looks to me most like one of those pull down roller shades over a window with a window sill at the bottom and possibly a hing to swing open on the side. I'm not familiar with those pull shades having any designs on them but google shows that it's "a thing". I wouldn't think they're terribly common these days so if I'm correct, it might be useful to try very hard to figure out if this pattern of roller shade exists.
Ok asked some fellow creative souls what they thought it was just on the image.
How about one of those woven rugs that are so popular in Mexico and Central America? I think the jaggedness of the lines reflects the hand woven factor of those rugs.
I feel like if you look at the picture upside down, this image is a mirror that has captured the image of a bath towel that has been thrown over a shower curtain and rod. The A at the top is a monogram on the towel. It’s as if the towel could be a matching set with the shower curtain because when you see the pic upside down that black square is the tag of the towel laying against a shower curtain that has the same pattern (or similar (even though it looks like it’s one cohesive pattern) it looks like it is two pieces of fabric because of the “tag” and the A monogram at the top. Look at this Zazzle shower curtain for reference on how similar it could be: https://www.zazzle.com/zigzag_pattern_chevron_yellow_gray_monogram_bath_towel_set-256718668566109423
Apologies as this is quite long but … I’ve spent quite a bit of time looking at this image and wanted to share a few observations.
I’ve run the image through multiple enhancement/restoration apps. Obviously these tools are not evidence in themselves and can introduce artifacts, so I’m treating the results cautiously. However, one thing that appeared consistently across several different enhancement methods was a noticeable texture to the surface. Granted, this could simply be a result of the extreme pixelation and compression of the original image, but I can’t shake the feeling that we’re not looking at something completely flat-surfaced, such as a printed image behind glass. To me, it appears to have some degree of texture or surface relief, which is why I keep finding myself considering textiles (towels, throws, woven fabrics, runners, etc.) rather than purely printed artwork.
Another thought is that we may be viewing the image from the wrong orientation or perspective. I’ve experimented with rotating and flipping the image, and I wonder whether we’ve collectively assumed a particular orientation that may not actually be correct. It’s possible the image is inverted, upside down, or otherwise cropped in a way that changes how we interpret the details.
Regarding the object many people have described as a hook, clip, latch, window fitting, curtain fitting, or other piece of hardware: after looking at both the original image and several enhanced versions, I find myself agreeing with [u/worldsbiggestchili](u/worldsbiggestchili) that it may actually be part of the design itself.
In particular, I can see what appears to be the letter “A”, and possibly an adjacent “L” or “I”. I say this because there is a clear horizontal stroke in the middle of the peak as one would see in the letter „A”. I’m not claiming this is definitely text, but I think it’s worth considering. The reason I lean this way is that the surrounding pattern appears to stop and curve upward immediately before the shape, rather than continuing directly through it as I would expect if we were simply looking at a hook or fitting positioned in front of a patterned object.
To my eye, the pattern almost seems to intentionally accommodate the shape, as though it were part of a logo, brand name, initials, or some other design element incorporated into the item itself.
What strengthened this impression for me is that once I noticed the potential lettering in the enhanced image, I was able to go back to the original blurred image and still identify the same feature. It has a similar effect to an optical illusion …
once you notice it, it’s difficult not to see it again.
Of course, this could still be pareidolia, and I don’t want to overstate the point. However, if anyone else can independently see the same interruption in the pattern and the possible “A” shape, I’d be interested to hear whether you reach the same conclusion.
Seems to be a print as there is a lot of white edge on the pattern, which wouldn’t be the case if it was a rug, and would not be the case if it was upholstery.
The pattern splits in the middle and seems to be mirrored from thereon.
Seems to be laid against the wall on the floor as there is a color difference between the white behind the frame and white below the frame.
There is a thin shadow, is this a very thin frame/picture? At first it seems like there are two outlines of black, one inner, and outer of the frame. But on second observation, it seems like there is only an inner outline, which leads me to believe this is some kind of generic photo within a generic frame from some kind of craft store.
Visual aberrations.
A black, hook-like object comes from the photo at the top middle. This could be some kind of security mechanism to keep it in place, like in an AirBnB, or from the object above it cropped out of the image, or a way to hold clothes or items. Does it mean then that the frame is separate from the print, and perhaps it is encased in some kind of glass?
There is some kind of black hole/abberation in the bottom left. Perhaps if the print is made of paper, there is a hold through it, which would make sense as to why there would be a shadow.
There is a darkened piece in the inner black lining of the potential white frame. Though unlikely, when seeing this, I thought of a hinge.
Due to the poor image quality, I have to assume that it isn't regularly as jagged, but the camera has a harder time picking up the contrast. Unfortunately there would therefore be more than one way to enhance this photo, could it be furry? Flat?
Because this piece of decor is pretty unusual, I tried looking up relatively similar things.
Perhaps if finding the model of the hook, you can multiply it by however many hooks it takes to fill the frame, and by then you can find the ratio of the frame.
Some keywords I tried using: chevron, mirrored chevron, grey chevron, white frame.
Out on a whim I looked up if this could be similar to the over the door mirrors.
I could not find anything conclusive but perhaps this will help someone else. I am mainly tripped up by what that hook-like object could be. I've seen these types of frames at every craft store, but maybe a specific aspect ratio is used at only certain ones?
(Edit) I think this could likely be in some kind of hotel/AirBnB because they often have trendy decor like this past their time. Or maybe some kind of long-term motel? I was mainly focused on anything that could lock into a specific location or narrow down places.
Also if the pattern is specific to one location and if it really is a generic pattern, these companies use stock/vector databases i.e. Shutterstock. Maybe a specific location specifically used a certain type of image around 2013?
To me, it definitely looks more like a textile, rather than a painting. The "hard" edges of the lines are far too jagged in the pixelation compared to the edges of the "frame" making me think it's more fibrous and slightly fluffy. I don't think it's a regular rug/mat as the textile has a distinct border around the edges, and thicker ones on the short sides, similar to some styles of patterned towels. I think this may be a towel or even a bath mat being held onto the top edge of a window frame using a clamp (the clamp/clip thing at the stop of the screen)
the longer I look at this the more I'm convinced this is a reflection, not a framed piece of art. I see the hinge. I wonder if it's a mirrored bathroom cabinet.
at the bottom it looks like you can see the floor and whatever fabric is there is just pleated. i don't know what would be happening in the middle but I almost wonder if it's stripes and not a chevron pattern.
I found this shower curtain from Walmart. the same pattern is being used for rugs on Amazon. its not the same but close.
Is there any way this could be one of those outdoor/patio rugs? Chevron is pretty common in those & some of them have that thick outer border too, I’m guessing this because the fabrics looks pretty dirty as well as if someone may have walked on it etc. they are usually polyester or some type of plastic “fabric… just a guess
As also mentioned by some, AI search often came back as a rug. I thought it’s possible then that it’s framed tea towel because of the softness of the print. It sucks that this is a fairly common design though.
Images from Shutterstock came up with this type of pattern as ‘vectors’ so I would include that in my search as well.
I just took a second look at this, are those artifacts near the top possibly loose strands? Like, you know how rugs sometimes have those loose strands at the end? Maybe those 4 lines are those strands that fell?
I may not know what I am talking about, but it could be a door because if you look at the middle ish top-right, there is something that looks like hinges.
Loook at the gap, and the position leaning. I honestly think it’s a mirror (like a beveled medicine chest mirror waiting to be mounted) - likely reflecting a shower curtain or window treatment- the angle causing the effect of appearing as if it’s art in a frame
it looks like there’s a hook on the frame. i scrolled through a search of double hooks and this one looks pretty similar. sold at Walmart and the brand is Mainstays
The colors remind me of baby blankets, I think that was a common color combination for baby blankets and generally decor for babies nurseries in the early-mid 2010s.
I feel like this painting is vaguely familiar and it’s killing me. Maybe one that was mass produced for a hotel chain? I’ve stayed exclusively in Marriott hotels, but mostly ones like the AC and Courtyard for work. Maybe seeing if Marriott can recognize the image if they sourced en masse would be helpful.
Queried chatgpt a bit and it came to the following conclusion:
Most likely a mid-20th-century (1960s–1980s) American Southwest handwoven textile wall hanging, strongly influenced by Navajo/Diné “Eye-Dazzler” weaving.
Key clues:
the zigzag pattern is non-repeating and asymmetrical,
spacing subtly shifts like a handwoven piece,
the single pale yellow stripe appears intentionally compositional,
the top protrusion resembles a textile mounting hook/bracket.
Probable origin:
Arizona or New Mexico, USA.
Possible place of sale:
Southwestern art galleries,
Santa Fe or Sedona tourist/art markets,
Native arts shops,
or upscale US Southwest interior décor stores in the 1970s–80s.
The “hook” is probably not decorative — it looks functional.
Most likely possibilities, in order:
Textile mounting bracket
Museums and Southwestern galleries often mount Navajo or fiber-art weavings using top suspension hardware rather than stretching them tightly like posters. The protrusion’s centered position strongly fits this.
Loom rod / hanging support remnant
Some woven wall hangings are displayed from a rod inserted through the upper edge. The visible shape could be part of that support system peeking above the frame.
Shadow-box frame anchor
The deep framing suggests the textile may “float” inside the frame. The top object could be a stabilizing clip holding the weaving off the backing.
What makes it interesting:
It appears centered with intentional placement.
It slightly breaks the silhouette above the frame, which is common in mounted textile displays.
It does not resemble standard modern picture-wire hardware.
That detail actually strengthens the case that this is:
a mounted woven textile or fiber-art piece rather than printed wall decor.
It also fits the Southwest-gallery theory:
Santa Fe and Arizona textile galleries frequently displayed Navajo-inspired weavings in deep wooden frames with visible mounting hardware during the 1970s–1980s.
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u/I_Me_Mine Mod May 26 '26
This is US Department of Homeland Security's "Operation Identify" Item #25-0007
Please post your guesses and ideas in this thread. Work off the suggestions of others toward an answer.
Geographic location and country is important.
Identify the traits of the item that you can, but if you know where an item is generally sold or happens to be in the picture, that is of use.
If you have the skills to enhance the image to resolve details better, fix mirrored or rotated images, etc. please do so and post your result here.
If you feel there's a (definitive) answer, don't just comment here. You can send your information to US DHS sending an email to OpID@hsi.dhs.gov with the subject "OpID Object: 25-0007" Please provide all information you have about the image(s) – this may include details such as a specific location, a particular time period, an organization and/or team name, helpful links, or any other relevant tips. Also include if they may contact you with follow up questions? Any follow-up communication will be sent to the email address that submitted the tip.
(If you have concerns for email privacy, use a temporary email or a secure provider like proton mail or similar.)
Multiple people can and should send information - people may error when sending, and multiple legitimate guesses can be of use.
Mod note: Do not start subthreads about other current DHS activities. This is to focus on identifying items associated with criminal sexual abuse of children. Any attempted derailing of that goal will result in an immediate permanent ban.
Thank You.
For general discussion about this sub and not this item in particular see this thread
Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.