Important Notice

KUTCH, 20TH CENTURY

a) Handspun and handwoven cotton, hand embroidered with cotton thread, small pompoms, beads, cowrie shells and mirrors, printed cotton fabric
34.5 x 22.5 in (88.2 x 57.2 cm)

b) Handspun and handwoven cotton, hand embroidered with cotton thread, small pompoms, beads, cowrie shells and mirrors, printed cotton fabric
28.25 x 22.25 in (72.3 x 57 cm)

(Set of two)


These elaborately decorated and strikingly beautiful blouses, locally known as gaggo, are worn over a calf-length gathered skirt. Loose fitting and usually with short or three-quarter length sleeves, they extend below the hips.

They are worn by women from the Maldhari Muslim community of pastoralists settled in the Banni region of Kutch. The yokes of the tunics are embroidered with geometric patterns and small floral motifs. A fringe of beads is added to the ends of the sleeves and the bottom edge of the blouse. Small black pompoms have been added along with the beads to one of this set of two gaggos. An unusual feature of this tunic is the flap extending down the back.

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