Drawing of five men and a boy working on an embroidery frame to produce jewelled and spangled cloth. Delhi 1870.

Six men, some wearing caps are depicted within their studio working at an embroidery frame. All are working in collaboration on a jewelled and spangled cloth with various tools inclusing scissors, a shuttle and thread. Above the men are two carved niched windows with turban cloths and a pot, and on the right hand side stands a hookah.

Historical significance: John Lockwood Kipling (1837-1911) was born in Yorkshire but as his career developed became an established artist and scholar, and in 1865 settled in India with his family. He became professor of architectural sculpture at the JeeJeebhay School of Art in Bombay and in 1882 curator of the Lahore Museum. During his career JL Kipling was a member of the Department of Art and Science at the Victoria and Albert Museum and was also involved in the museum's decoration. John Lockwood Kipling was the father of Rudyard Kipling, author of the famous novels Jungle Book and Kim.

Transferred from the India Museum in 1879. 1880 Register Entry: [ Room 8. On The Wall.] '0929. TWENTY-EIGHT FRAMES, glazed, each containing two sketches, by J. L. Kipling, of the School of Art, Bombay, illustrating the craftsmen of North-western India. 1 to 56'

0929:31/(IS)