Ceremonial girdle (patka) of embroidered cotton, Deccan, early 18th century.

Ceremonial girdle (patka) consisting of a fine cotton sash of undyed cotton with a row of stencilled and dyed tulips at each end. The tulips are outlined in embroidered silver-gilt thread. Wood-block printed in black outline and drawn over and painted by hand.

Ornamented at each end and along the sides. The design at each end is the same - eight-tulip-plants bearing two red flowers and a bud and four carving leaves. Above and below these plants and down the sides is a narrow band of undulating stems bearing tulips and clusters of three leaves. Stamped on the field are three seals.

Purchased for £15 from Imre Schwaiger, 1927.

Probably Burhanpur or Golconda, from the Hydrabad toshkhana.

This decorative sash (patka) would have been worn by a man around the waist of a long robe. The ends are designed to be seen hanging down at the side of the robe. This sash has end borders with a row of finely drawn and dyed tulips, which are outlined with silver-gilt thread embroidery. The mordant-dyeing technique used on the sash suggests an origin in the Deccan or South-east India.

IM.70-1927