sitalpatti (Mat)

The antiquity of mats in India is well known: they are among the most important items of household furnishings in every strata of society and essential to most domestic activities, sleeping, eating, sitting, and entertaining. The Sitalpatti mat such as this one is a highly regarded sleeping mat in hot weather due to the coolness of fibre and ability to absorb moisture. Sitalpatti have been woven in many designs and of such fineness that a full size mat could fit into a pocket. Hindu mat weaver castes carried traditions of Sitalpatti when they emigrated to West Bengal, following creation of Bangladesh. Sitalpatti leaf, once widely available in East Bengal, is now cultivated and harvested in Assam. Weavers obtain it by bid in government auctions each season. This mat was made by a group of Kalingar weavers who pursue their traditional occupation by making rough mats for sale in markets like Calcutta.

Large plaited mat of plant fibre. Design is created by pattern of the weave in natural coloured fibre, a checkerboard effect being created. Mat is fine, flexible, cool to touch. One side is polished.