Embroidered Textile from Sindh, Cotton

The Thar Parkar district of Sindh, Pakistan, has a rich tradition of folk embroidery. Designs are abstract or very formalised representations of folowers and foliage, worked in primary colours using satin stitch. This symmertrically embroidered red textile has a central circular motif probably symbolising a lotus flower, surrounded by concentric circles of mirrors. The centre is flanked by diagonal rows of single-stemmed flowering plants, with a single row of peacocks on either side. On either side of the central panel are symmertrical patterns probably of the tree of life motif. A narrow embroidered border encloses the textile.