Important Notice

KUTCH, CIRCA 1930

a) Handspun and handwoven khadi fabric, hand embroidered with cotton thread, natural dyes, mirrors
54 x 82.5 in (139 x 210 cm)

b) Handspun and handwoven khadi fabric, hand embroidered with cotton thread, natural dyes, mirrors
16.75 x 125.5 in (43 x 319 cm)

c) Handspun and handwoven khadi fabric, hand embroidered with cotton thread, natural dyes, mirrors
16.5 x 66.75 in (42 x 170 cm)

(Set of three)


The neat and symmetrically embroidered odhni is of an extremely fine quality. It is the work of women from the well-to-do farming communities of Kutch. The central motif is a circle, around which a diamond is created with lines radiating out in small mirrors. Around this are neatly arranged patterns of squares and circles filled with mirrors, giving an ethereal shimmer-like effect to the fabric when draped.

The two skirt borders (b and c), from Abdasa, in western Kutch, are similar in design. At the bottom edge is a border with a row of grid-like squares each with a crossed pattern with a central motif of a flower or a mirror. Above this is a row of architectural forms mimicking buildings with elongated roofs, perhaps alluding to the temple shikhar or tower form. Embroidered over this is a row of triangles almost resembling flags or banners that sometimes hang outside places of worship. Placed around these are small flowers and circles. The patterns were generally block-printed on the fabric before women embroidered them; the wooden blocks were carved by men.

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