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

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.Indian embroidery on cream cotton fabric with a tamboured design of dragons in brown and black.embroidery, tea cosy, india?, tambour work

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.Indian embroidery on cream cotton fabric with a tamboured design of dragons in brown and black.embroidery, tea cosy, india?, tambour work

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.Indian embroidery on cream cotton fabric with a tamboured design of dragons in brown and black.embroidery, tea cosy, india?, tambour work

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

Chikankari Embroidery - The Art that defines Indian Heritage. Chikankari is a delicate and traditional hand-embroidery style from Lucknow, India, often called 'Lucknowi Chikan'. Believed to be introduced by Nur Jahan, wife of Mughal Emperor Jehangir, it features intricate needlework on fabrics like muslin, cotton, silk, and georgette. This ancient craft involves approximately 36 different stitching techniques. Partially Worked Chikankari Patternpattern, 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.

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

Traditional Banjara (also known as Lambani) are an historically nomadic trading community originating in the Mewar region of Rajasthan, before migrating across central and southern India. Torans are used to decorate the main entrance of the home. Mainly to please the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. Indian Banjara Toran door hanging embroidered on red linen/cotton with geometric pattern in stitches of red, yellow, orange, green and blue. Applique border in natural coloured fabric.india, embroidery

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

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

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

Purchased in Calcutta, India. A dupatta is a traditional long scarf or shawl worn by women in the Indian Subcontinent, essential to outfits like lehengas, ghagras, and churidar suits. Often adorned with embroidery, sequins, or laces, it is used for fashion and modesty, commonly draped over one shoulder or over the head.Dupatta (stole), yellow silk, printed block pattern of repetitive rows of female figures and basket weave.weaving, garments, sari, mid 20th century, india

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

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

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

Sir Thomas George Rutherford, KCSI, CIE (25 September 1886 – 5 August 1957) was a British colonial administrator who served as the governor of Bihar from 1944 to 1946.Educated at George Watson's College, the University of Edinburgh, and University College, London, Rutherford entered the Indian Civil Service in 1910. He played a major role in the suppression of the Rampa Rebellion of 1922, which was led by Alluri Sitarama Raju. (wikipedia)The Arms of Sir Thomas Rutherford. The heraldry is "in correct" the shield should be much larger and the crest much too small. Red velvet fabric.H.E.Sir Thomas George Rutherford, K.C.S.I., C.I.E., I.C.S., Governor of Behar, Kaya, April 22nd 1943embroidery, heraldry, metal thread, 1940-60

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

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

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

Folk embroidery from Saurashtra Provence of Gujarati and said by donor to be over 100 years old. Depicts elephant headed god, Ganesh. Vivid colours of reds, yellow, green and blue with some mirror inserts.embroidery, surface stitchery, shisha work, mid 19th century, india

Indian muslin with all over sprigs design. Decorative floral border in padded satin stitch, eyelets and drawn thread stitches.embroidery, whitework, fragment, india

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

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

Note: Virginia Mort feels that costume is from Rajasthan or Gujarat. Definitely from West India.Skirt of bright red satin with motifs of flowers and birds, and several borders at the base of skirt.embroidery, garments, tambour work, 1840-60, burma, skirt, blouse (part of wedding costume)

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

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

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