vintage ZARDOZI SILVER-GOLD Silk Embroidery panel

Unusually heavy weight and dense large scale silver work of radiating florals along meandering vines. Shimmering. Beautifully deep crimson tone. Main floral forms appear to be lotus, and truly magnificent ones at that. The lotus flower represents beauty, purity and non- attachment. Wonderfully unintended red-white striping on base cotton structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intricately patterned hand-crafted silver embellishment seen here is know as 'Zardozi'. (real silver!) One of the oldest forms of decorative embroidery from India, Zardozi originates with the Mughal Empire (16th-19th c.) and translates in Persian as 'sewing in gold'. This series of couch-embroidered panels on sale here were originally Zardozi Prayer Caps worn by Indian males (similar to the Fez in North Africa). The wearing of these caps is said to fulfill a sacred customary requirement that heads be covered at all times- in order that the fear of heaven be on you. Though fear not. This ritual headwear concept is similar to the Jewish Yarmulke or Kippah, as well as other monotheistic religions. Despite fear from above, or below, these caps are principally a practical item of clothing: shading the sun by day, reducing heat loss at night. Anyway you look at it, its beautiful silver work on a ground of silk velvet. Ready for mounting, framing and display. Each piece unique and one-of-a-kind. Tarnish can be easily cleaned with small bristle brush if you prefer a new rather than antique look. Silk velvet tones are rich, and the silver shimmers in the light - the images here do not do these works justice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ORIGIN: India; ca.1900 MATERIAL: silk velvet, gold plated silver, cotton SIZE: 6" x 7-1/8" / 15.3 x 18 cm [framed 10-1/4 x 10-1/4" in. 26 x 26 cm] CONDITION: good- some wear at outer edges of silk velvet ITEM: #2063-900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .