Historical information

Purchased from NGO Shrujan- threads of Life, Bhuj, Gujarat in 2011. Neran style of embroidery is from the Bhujodi area of Kutch and was originally a variation of Kharek and Pakko embroidery however is now classified as a separate style. Neran means "eye brow" and refers to the curved units of closely stitched button hole stitch which resemble eye brows. Another feature of this style of embroidery is that the cloth is almost completely covered in geometric patterns of neran stitch along with tiny shisha mirrors and interlaced running stitch. Shrujan was a social enterprise formed in 1969 to preserve and promote hand embroidery and provide a livelihood for women from the village of Dhaneti. This model was repeated over the years and now operates in 114 villages across Kutch. The women produce high quality embroidered furnishing items and garments for the Shrujan outlets.

Physical description

Embroidered square cushion cover in Neran style geometric embroidery. Base fabric is completely covered in neran stitch, shisha mirrors and interlaced running stitch in dark red, olive green and tan untwisted floss. Embroidered panel has a silk duponi border.