Hanging
About this object
History of use
Hung in inner courtyard during Hindu festivals.
Cultural context
festivals
Iconographic meaning
Peacocks signify beauty and immortality. Mirrors. Compensate for arid dessert conditions by reflecting pinpoints of light which resemble shimmering water.
Specific techniques
Embroidery stitches include herring bone and chain buttonhole stitches.
Physical description
Silk square, with a yellow centre and purple border. Centre embroidered with sixteen red, green and white peacocks and mirror-centred flowers it is bordered by mirror-centred flowers and leaves. The pattern is edged with a row of multi-coloured undulating ovoids and chevrons, embroidered with untwisted silk(?); backed with white-yellow cotton and bound with red cotton. Hanging loops present on the two lower corners.
Categories
Materials
Date Made
1890-1920
Date Acquired
12 Nov 1985
How Acquired
Donated
Credit Line
The Beverly and Milton Israel Indian Textile CollectionMore...
Measurements
69.2 x 72.2 cm
Object Number
Ef421