Purchased by the donor from the women embroiderers at the New Dhanetic village near Bhuj in Gujarat in April 2011.Contemporary Ahir style embroidery, hand embroidered in chain stitch and shisha work on red cotton. Stitching is in yellow, green, purple, red and white.embroidery, indian, shisha

The embroidered scarf was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Janet Gibson.The shawl is an outstanding example of North Indian weaving and needlework. North Indian scarf [or girdle], probably made in Delhi, hand-loomed of fine wool and heavily embroidered by needle at the ends and sides with multicoloured silk thread surrounding the central rectangular black field. The highly detailed embroidery includes stylised images of foliage and flowers. There is old damage to parts of the textile. women's clothing, shawls, indian embroidery, scarfs

Indian Zardosi style embroidery using metal threads and sequins.Gold metal thread embroidered panel from India depicting a bird and flowers on red cotton surrounded by gold paillettes.floral, birds

Sohrai embroidery is a traditional art form inspired by the, ritualistic, nature-based wall paintings of Jharkhand, India, created by tribal women, often during harvest seasons. This style features intricate, geometric, and figurative motifs—such as animals, birds, and plants—translated onto fabrics using techniques like Kantha stitch, embroidery, and sometimes mirror work.Tea cosy is probably Indian. It is of cream cotton fabric with a tamboured design of dragons in brown and black. Includes tea cloth and napkins.embroidery, tea cosy, india?, tambour work

Bright green cotton fabric. Skirt has waist band and border embroidered in red, pink, blue and yellow. Cowrie shells are placed at intervals.embroidery, surface stitchery, india, shisha work, garments

Bright yellow and green cotton fabric. The top is embroidered with shisha mirrors and bands of embroidery in red, green and blue on yellow fabric. embroidery, surface stitchery, india, shisha work, garments

Given to the donor by the daughter of the Rajah of Punal, when she was 9 years old.Small drawstring bag in large cross stitch in bright colours (Card and two photos inside bag).embroidery, bag, cross stitch

Khotro, or bag using fragment of Ahir embroidery. Includes shisha mirror work. Design includes parrots and peacocks. Small tassels and buttons decorate edge.bag, dowry, shiska, india, embroidery

According to the donor this is Indian work on madras silk.Red silk background embroidered in an all over design of peonies and butterflies in shades of blues, greens and yellows.embroidery, garments, silk embroidery, oriental, india

The Kuna have been making their art works for many centuries. They were a nomadic tribe with their art being formed by decorating themselves with their artworks. This decoration is also called Mola or Molas, in Kuna this means shirt or clothing. Mola, which originally meant bird plumage, is the Kuna Indian word for clothing, specifically blouse, and the word Mola has come to mean the elaborate embroidered panels that make up the front and back of a Kuna woman’s traditional blouse. https://sanblas-islands.com/kuna-indians/art/Rectangle of reverse applique in very bright colours - orange, blue, pink, black etc. Shows a crab motif. Part of Mola - traditional garment.embroidery, mola, reverse applique

Purchased in Colombo, (Ceylon) Sri Lanka in 1930 . Said to be of Indian origin by Chinese from Canton. These shawls were made for the European market.Off white silk, the entire area embroidered in self coloured twisted silk thread. All over flower design includes some birds. The edge is decorated with a 42 cms deep fringe of knotted silk.embroidery, surface stitchery, china, 19th century, oriental, silk embroidery, india, shawl

Information in 1980 - Possibly Indian village workDeep blue satin with fringed edge. The design is of an Indian temple and large birds embroidered in gold and silver threads with some brightly coloured floss silks. It is edged with matching blue fringe.embroidery, panels, india, metal thread, silk embroidery, oriental

Made into a belt. Cream satin, entirely covered in a scrolling gilt and silver chain or tambour stitch. Designs are people, palms, boats, deer, geese, mosques etc. in a variety of stitches, highlighted with coloured silks. Possibly Indian.embroidery, metal thread, india

This broderie perse' wall hanging was donated to the Kew Historical Society in 1980 by Mrs Joy Ivory. The hanging had belonged to her mother - Amy Grigg - and was used by the latter to demonstrate skills in darning (the red stitching). Provenance includes a certificate dating from 1889 which records an award to Amy Grigg of Pakington Street (Kew) for skills in needlework, issued by the Kew Floral Industrial & Art Society. Amy Grigg later married Albert Watson, the son of John Watson. The latter was an early pastor of the Kew Methodist Church in Highbury Grove, Kew. Both the Watson and Grigg families were early pioneers of Kew. While the hanging was modified by Amy Grigg in 1889, the original textile dates from an earlier period when 'Broderie Perse' (Persian embroidery) was used to create quilts and wall hangings. It is estimated that the hanging dates from the first half of the 19th century. An exact dating will require a detailed examination of the cotton chintz fabrics used to embroider the hanging. This appliquéd wall hanging is one of the earliest textiles in the Kew Historical Society's fashion & textiles collection. Similar examples are held in major international collections such as the Victoria & Albert Museum. This example of broderie perse is significant for the cross-cultural influence of Indian textiles on European taste, not unusual given the English foothold in India during this period. Additional interest is due to the mixing of Indian and European textiles in the design, while staying true to the derivation of the design. The textile is both well-provenanced and rare. While it is unlikely to be Australian-made, it is probably an example of a textile brought to Australia during the colonial period that indicates a desire to decorate interiors using items created in and for the English home. On another level, the wall hanging is a fine example of 'women's work' in the first half of the nineteenth century.Small wall hanging, comprised of five panels that are each appliquéd by hand in herringbone stitch using a range of decorative figurative motifs including flora and fauna. The design is based on an Indian palimpore representing a tree of life design. The base textile is a cream linen while the appliquéd figures or shapes are cut from cotton chintz. These additions are probably a mix of Indian and European designs. The quality of the herringbone stitching is very fine. Later stitching in red wool was added in the 1890s to demonstrate skill in darning. The main panel is bordered by a narrow green and ecru braid. It has a narrow tan braid at the top and bottom of the two side panels. A surrounding tan braid around the entire textile is missing in some places. textiles, applique, broderie perse, amy grigg, wall hangings, migration

When donated by Mrs Docherty in 1991 it was described as a Scottish sideboard runner dating from the 1860s.Embroidered textile formerly used as a table runner. When donated by Mrs Docherty in 1991 it was described as a Scottish sideboard runner dating from the 1860. The design and construction of the fabric is probably Indian in origin. It includes an extensive use of silver bullion on a cream silk ground to define the areas of abstract floral patterning. The warp or weft of the cream silk ground has disintegrated in sections.textiles - international, embroidery, table runners

Dress purchased by Mary Schwerkolt in 1910 on voyage to America via German and the Suez Canal in India. Mary was on the passenger ship Seydlitz. Her future husband Emil Jackschowsky was a crew member. They were married in the Orphan's Court of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania by Minister J.L. Fischer on April 15, 1912. Mary had delayed her departure to travel back on this voyage with Emil.Cream silk wedding dress. High neck with a stand up shaped collar in the Queen Mary style. Collar has cream silk embroidery of flower centre front and leaves either side and edged in crocheted silk finely. Front bodice has 2 pintuck pleats either side of embroidered central panel and pleats are edged by embroidered panels to bustline. Bodice is gathered into high waistband. Skirt is pintucked into waistband. Embroidery is a band around hemline. The embroidery design is Indian "mango" design. The back bodice has pintucks into collar and opened to below waistband with metal hooks & eyes. Box pleat at base of placket opening. 3.4 length sleeve has a panel at hem on front with embroidered 4 petal cross flower & leaves either side. Waistband lined with cotton & neckband lined with cotton. Hem is faced with satined cotton. Also a cream silk handkerchief.whalen, rosalie, schwerkolt, mary, jackschowsky, emil, jarosz, bettie, seydlitz, pennsylvania, fischer, j.l., minister, wedding dress, weddings, dress, india

The kurti, a shorter version of the traditional kurta, has evolved over centuries from ancient Indian, Central Asian, and Mughal influences, originally designed for practical comfort. Historically, it served as a versatile tunic, often worn as a blouse or jacket by women. Ancient Origins: The kurti is believed to have roots in the ancient Indian subcontinent, descending from the tunics of the Shunga period (2nd century B.C.). Mughal Influence: The Mughal empire introduced variations, including the salwar kameez and Anarkali, which influenced the looser, comfortable style of the modern kurti.Kurta style top/blouse (from the Indian sub-continent) in shot purple/blue silk. Ari (Tambour) embroidery embellished with beads, rayon and metallic threads.

White satin with a wide decorative band of silver metal thread work, sequins and pale floss silks. Matching silver fringe.embroidery, mats, india, oriental, metal thread, silk embroidery

Designed and worked by Miss LongDesign is an Indian girl in colours of pink, orange, blue, black and gold, with some beads. Bright orange mount, dull gold frame.MJLembroidery, panel, machine embroidery, 1960-80, australia

Possibly purchased by donor in India or Pakistan.Cap (man's or child) hand quilted, navy cotton outer, cream inner lining. Hand tamboured in white and gold metal thread. Geometric star shaped design on crown and wavy border design on edge. hand assembled in white herringbone stitch.embroidery, cap, tambour, metal thread, pakistan, quilting

Known as Karchob it is divided into 2 types of gold embroidery: 1. Key Aspects of Zardozi Embroidery: Origin and Meaning: The term "Zardozi" comes from the Persian words "zar" (gold) and "dozi" (embroidery), literally meaning "sewing with gold". Materials Used: Traditionally, threads were made of pure gold or silver, but modern zardozi typically uses copper wires with a gold or silver polish, often blended with silk threads, sequins, and crystals. The Process: Adda: The fabric is stretched tightly over a wooden frame, known as an adda, to facilitate precise, delicate work. Aari Needle: Artisans often use a hook-ended needle, similar to a crochet needle, called an aari, to make intricate stitches. Techniques: Specialized techniques include Dabka (coiled wire) and Kasab (twisted wire) to create raised, three-dimensional motifs. Common Motifs: Designs often feature intricate floral patterns, leaves, paisley, and geometric shapes inspired by nature and architecture. 2. Key details about Kamdani embroidery: Technique: It is often called a "lighter version" of Zardozi. It involves using a needle to insert flat metallic wires (badla) through the fabric, making tiny stitches that sparkle, often creating dots, paisleys, or floral patterns. Origin: The craft originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically developing in Lucknow, India. Materials: Originally done with pure gold or silver threads, modern Kamdani often uses synthetic metallic threads or beads for affordability. Application: It is commonly featured on luxurious textiles, including georgette, chiffon, and cotton, frequently worn as formal wedding wear (sarees, dupattas, and kurtas). Types of Work: It is often referred to by related terms such as Mukaish, Badla, or Fardi work.Gold embroidery all over bag except under flap. Intricate design on flowers in very typical of the variety of metal threads. Velvet handles with black silk lining with press-studs in both corners of the flap. Decorative beaded tassel at base. Intricate design of flowers in typical design known as Karchob.embroidery, bags, 1900-20, india, goldwork

A natural coloured background with all over design of twisted gold couched with pink thread, in floral style. The pieces of beetle-wing inserted into the flower petals give this work its name of beetle wing embroidery.embroidery, bags, india, beetlewing embroidery

A copy of traditional Indian shisha work. Beige cotton with coloured surface stitchery and small pieces of mirror used in the floral design. Edge is 3 rows of chain stitch in blue, yellow and red.embroidery, tea cosy, shisha work, 1900-20

Contemporary Ahir style embroidery purchased by the donor from the embroiderer, Mrs Sofia Natemitha Mutna of Dhordo Village near Bhuj in Gujarat, India in January 2012.Contemporary Ahir style embroidery. A circular design in silk thread in red, blue, green, orange, yellow, pink and white on a black synthetic ground. Stitches are chain, running stitch, feather stitch and shisha work. Feather stitch is in a variegated thread.india, embroidery, india, shisha

Small black cotton bag with a zipper at top front. Embroidered in bright colours, orange, red, purple, green, yellow, pink and cream and shisha mirrors inserted. Black cord around sides of bag forming a handle and fluffy ends at bottom corners.bags, india, embroidery, shisha mirrors, tambour work, bags

Natural coloured silk ground, embroidered in silk floss in green, orange, purple, turquoise, yellow and beige. Leaf and stem design, Hem stitched. Indian style?silks, embroidery, surface stitchery

Natural coloured cotton with delicate all over floral design of moss roses and lilies. Very fine chain stitch and tiny sequins.embroidery, surface stitchery, fragment, india

Natural coloured silk ground, embroidered in silk floss in greens,yellow and orange. Leaf and stem design, hemstitched edge. Indian style?embroidery, surface stitchery, mats, 1900-20, india, silk embroidery

Fine red wool with surface stitchery in cream floss silk thread.embroidery, india, surface stitchery, fragment

Possibly part of an elephant Howdah. In 1980 further information received that this piece may be of Moghul embroidery c 1600 from a wealthy or Royal household or palace.Heavily decorated in Zardozi bullion work of silver and gilt threads. Tree of life design with buds and flowers and an elephant at the base. Worked on a background of silk. There is a looped edge on 3 sides.embroidery, metal thread, hanging, india