Embroidered Kurta, Satin silk

This bright red kurta (tunic) in satin silk is intricately embroidered with silk threads and small pieces of mirror (abhala). The front of the kurta is embellished with an almost shield-like yoke that starts at the neck and extends till the waist, where it ends in a fan-like repeat pattern. Similar embroidered patterns extend over the shoulders and down the length of the sleeves. The edge of the neckline is emphasised by a strip of embroidery, and another is worked on the lower hem of the garment. The embroidery is executed in a dense chain stich with running, straight and interlacing stitches. The mirrors are held together by buttonhole stiches. Such kurtas were worn by women at the time of their wedding and were usually embroidered by the Memon merchants of Kutch.