Chakla (square wall hanging)
Name/Title
Chakla (square wall hanging)Entry/Object ID
2025.10.43Description
The Ahirs are one of the four tribes of Hindu farmers that make up a major portion of the population of Kachchh. All Ahir women do embroidery, decorating their textiles with a variety of floral, geometric, animal, and human motifs. Needlework is the primary mode of creative expression. Work on textiles for the dowry begins several years before marriage takes place. Both the bride and her mother embroider household textiles that the bride would take with her. Chaklas (wall hangings) are one kind of household textiles prepared, along with bags, quilts, and a distinctive set of clothes indicative of the jati (birth-based community or clan) to which the girl belongs. Slightly twisted cotton, silk, or rayon floss thread is used to embroider household textiles and garments. Bits of mirror incorporated into the design are purchased at local shops or at the bazaar in Bhuj. Zanjero (chain stitches) are used both to visually separate motifs and as filling stitches. Other stitches used are hurmitch (interlaced herringbone) and sheesho (mirrorwork).Textile Type
Embroidered PanelCollection
Edith Wyle CollectionCategory
Embroidery, Homeware
Acquisition
Accession
2025.10Made/Created
Time Period
Mid-20th CenturyPlace
Region
KachcchState/Province
GujaratCountry
IndiaContinent
AsiaEthnography
Cultural Region
Country
IndiaContinent
AsiaCulture/Tribe
Ahir