Coverlet
early 20th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This type of embroidery from West Bengal and Bangladesh is generically called 'kantha' embroidery, and is traditionally made of recycled cotton saris and dhotis that have worn out. Coloured threads were extracted from the borders of the old saris to provide coloured areas, although in recent times specially purchased coloured threads are used. Kanthas are made up of several layers of cotton cloth, stitched together by designs in simple running stitch, and designs are added using pattern-darning stitch, satin-stitch and button-hole stitch.
Kanthas are used for a multitude of household functions: the small size and square format of this one suggests that it was either an all-purpose wrapper ('bostani') or a seating mat ('ashon').
Kanthas are used for a multitude of household functions: the small size and square format of this one suggests that it was either an all-purpose wrapper ('bostani') or a seating mat ('ashon').
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Embroidered cotton with cotton thread and quilted |
| Brief description | Coverlet (kantha) wrapper or seating mat of embroidered cotton with cotton thread, Bangladesh, early 20th century |
| Physical description | Coverlet (kantha) square wrapper or seating mat of embroidered cotton with cotton thread and quilted. Embroidered with a large central lotus pattern, corner botehs and floral meander motifs. The stitches used are running-stitch, pattern darning-stitch, satin-stitch, and buttonhole-stitch. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Unique |
| Gallery label | WRAPPER OR MAT
Cotton, embroidered and Quilted (kantha)
Bangladesh
1900-50
IS.61-1981
The floral motifs recall the lotus ponds found in most Bengali villages, while the corner motifs – the kalka or Paisley design – have their origins in Kashmir shawls. The background is quilted with a delicate running stitch, and the borders are embroidered in imitation of woven sari border patterns.(27/9/2013) |
| Summary | This type of embroidery from West Bengal and Bangladesh is generically called 'kantha' embroidery, and is traditionally made of recycled cotton saris and dhotis that have worn out. Coloured threads were extracted from the borders of the old saris to provide coloured areas, although in recent times specially purchased coloured threads are used. Kanthas are made up of several layers of cotton cloth, stitched together by designs in simple running stitch, and designs are added using pattern-darning stitch, satin-stitch and button-hole stitch. Kanthas are used for a multitude of household functions: the small size and square format of this one suggests that it was either an all-purpose wrapper ('bostani') or a seating mat ('ashon'). |
| Bibliographic reference | Indian embroidery / Rosemary Crill ; photography by Richard Davis. London: V&A Publications, 1999 Number: 185177310X, 1851772944 (pbk.)
p. 21. cat. no. 117, ill. p.118 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.61-1981 |
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| Record created | May 31, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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