Scarf

Physical description

White muslin scarf, figured in the loom ('jamdani' work). Repeated plant motif on ends, trailing plants on borders. Field woven with palmette rosettes.

Place of Origin

Dhaka, Bangladesh (Made)

Date

19th century (Made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Woven muslin, embroidered with cotton

Dimensions

Length: 255 cm, Width: 63 cm

Object history note

Transferred from India Museum 1879.

Historical context note

Intended for use as garment/clothing.

Descriptive line

Textile, scarf, muslin, embroidered, 19th century, Dhaka.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Skelton, Robert and Mark Francis eds., Arts of Bengal, text by Robert Skelton, John Lowry, Andrew Topsfield, Veronica Murphy and Susan Stronge, London: Whitechapel Art Gallery 1979, no.190, p.67. ISBN 0 85488 047 X
Scarf
Dacca/ mid-19th century
White muslin, figured in the loom ('jamdani' work)/ 63 x 263cm

Border design of vine leaves in a staggered double row, joined by stems and small rosettes. Field pattern of diapered rosettes having large areas at the ends with a symmetrical design of a vine with foliage and bunches of grapes. 'Jamdani' was among the most valued products of the Dacca looms and prior to 1850 made nowhere else. Until the East India Company became the masters of Bengal in 1757, the finest 'jamdani' was reserved for the Nawab of Murshidabad, European and other merchants being allowed to purchase it only through brokers appointed by the local government. A long-standing tax on 'jamdani' weavers was finally abolished by the Company in 1792, when demand was falling off, no.191.

Exhibition History

Arts of Bengal (Whitechapel Art Gallery 30/12/1979-30/09/2011)

Materials

Cotton; Muslin

Techniques

Woven; Embroidered; Jamdani

Subjects depicted

Plants

Categories

Textiles; Clothing; Embroidery

Collection code

SSEA