This Nakshi Kantha was crafted in Bengal during the early 20th century.
Kantha is a Bengali folk tradition of embroidering textiles using recycled cloth. This Kantha features a wild and asymmetrical scene with a small off-center mandala. It is full of various motifs from fish, horses, elephants, and people. The people can be seen in pairs stacked on top of one another, riding a horse and an elephant as well as inside a Vimana or flying palace. The whimsical borders add to the wonderful chaos as they completely shift from large floral symbols to rosettes and eventually to triangles in different sections. This is all achieved with a limited palette of various red and blue threads on plain white cotton ground.
In good condition with areas of wear and staining with several small holes
Special Provenance: Previously owned by artist Carol Summers
Size: 4’6" x 5'6" [137cm x 166cm]
Age: Q1 20th Century (1900-1925)
Country of Origin: Bengal
Type of Textile: Kantha
Material: Recycled cotton
Condition: Good - areas of staining and wear, several small holes
TX367
Check out our South Asian and Kantha collection!
