Wedding veil (Chand bagh), late 19th-early 20th century
Unknown artist, Pakistanexpand_more
Cotton, silk; embroideryexpand_more
Gift of Richard L. Simmons in memory of Roberta Grodberg Simmonsexpand_more 2006.100.14
Not on Viewexpand_more
The Punjab region of India and Pakistan once was famous for darning stitch embroidery called phulkari, or flower work. Some designs were distinctly floral; others severely geometric. When the embroidery densely covered the cloth's surface, the "flowers" were said to form a bagh, or garden. And when shimmering white silk stitches floated on a dark background as in this veil, the flower garden became a heavenly "moon garden" (chand bagh).
All of the Punjab's major groups - Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims - used phulkari for wedding textiles, worn by bride, groom, and guests. Women of the household typically spent years preparing the embroideries, plotting out designs by counting threads in the ground cloth. Stitching was done from the reverse side so that the embroiderer created the design without actually seeing it.
Details
- Title
- Wedding veil (Chand bagh)
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2006.100.14
- Curator Approved
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