Indian Paisleys

Yesterday’s post about Rajasthan reminded me about this.

You know how I can’t go past a good paisley…

Gujarat Textile detailGujarat Textile detail

Gujarat Textile detail

The above are all a part of one textile piece…Gujarat Textile

Unfortunately the close-up of the fourth square just did not want to upload so I will try again another day with that one.

I found it at an antique dealers  in Jaipur.  It was in a cupboard which I just opened out of curiosity and did not expect to see such a riot of colour, pattern and texture. The cupboard was full of textiles, I didn’t know where to start and it almost took my breath away.  At that time it was planned that I would need to return to Jaipur later in 2008 so I didn’t fossick too long or hard. Unfortunately I no longer have the need (but I do have the desire) to return to Jaipur so I am kind of kicking myself.

However, I did buy this piece and one other which I’ll share another day.

It comes from Gujarat in Western India and I was told this piece dates from around 1910.

I love the traditional Indian patterns, so familiar to us as Provencal French but India is where they originated from. The Turkey Red paisleys in the top photo are so close to what we see in repro fabrics today and the bottom square is actually more Indigo that it appears in the photo.

The whole thing has been sewn together with thread as thick as string.

I still have a few interesting bits from India to show you…the next thing will be my old Block Printing blocks.

Thanks for visiting…

Comments

  1. what a treasure you found
    Love paisleys too!
    and well turkey reds are my favorite. That pink is amazing.
    thank you for sharing it with us
    Kathie

  2. Paisleys are always appealing – I love them in all shapes and forms, and these are super! Looking forward to the printing blocks…

  3. rose abbate says:

    i will be on the look out for any paisleys in my travels for you!

    r x

Leave a Reply to rose abbate Cancel reply

*