Mirrorwork textile
Name/Title
Mirrorwork textileEntry/Object ID
2025.10.61Description
Banjara embroidery is regarded as some of the most colorful in India, and is said to reflect the Banjara people’s nomadic origins and few material possessions. Color and creativity went into the making of their garments, especially those worn by women. Most of the embroideries have a cotton ground, decorated with patchwork, embroidery, and applied items such as buttons, coins, bracteates (single-sided coin-like pressed metal pendants) of silver and brass, beads, and most importantly, mirrors. The basic outfit of a Banjara woman consists of a ghagra (coarse cotton skirt), a kachali (blouse) and a ghunghat (long veil) that covers the head and body. A characteristic Banjara blouse is short, backless, and with short sleeves. It is tied together at the back with two pairs of cords, one at the shoulders and the other at the waist. In addition to embroidery, a variety of beads and mirrors are often sewn onto the blouse. Sometimes a large mirror surrounded by smaller mirrors is attached to the middle of the lower edge of the blouse in order to create a focal point. This mirrorwork textile could have been attached to the blouse, at the stomach, or as one of a pair over the breasts.Textile Type
Embroidered PanelCategory
Embroidery
Acquisition
Accession
2025.10Made/Created
Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Country
IndiaContinent
AsiaEthnography
Cultural Region
Country
IndiaContinent
AsiaCulture/Tribe
Banjara