J.H.Terry

Textiles of the Banjara | Antique Banjara Ritual Textile

This is a rare and quite unique padded and embroidered ritual textile, circa 19th century, Banjara community, Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan, India. This beautiful example is embroidered with a quartered set of squares, one representing a garden, another with a 'tulsi' or basil design, a very important and symbolic plant within the life of the Banjara. There is very fine applique work bording the exterior. This piece was created using all natural dyes, employing a very beautiful green, indigo blue, clear yellow, madder orange, ivory and a rusty salmon for the ground color. It has been padded with cotton between the layers, and has a very old looking resist dyed block printed backing. It has a soft and pliable texture, and a feeling of real age. This is certainly one of the oldest Banjara pieces I've seen, a very collectable example. It measures appox: 28" x 8"wd. Price on Request