Kantha Coverlet

A large square Kantha coverlet of thinly layered and embroidered cotton mainly in red and blue, its undyed ground is embroidered with a thick outer border and a large inner border with running floral motifs. The inner field is embroidered with a large central medallion, with a surrounding square panel that depicts the Jagannath Rath on one of its corners, while the remaining space depicts animal figures and other social and mythological scenes, such as a man smoking a hookah, or Krishna with a gopi. An indigenous household craft, particularly practiced by rural women in the regions of West Bengal, Orissa and Bangladesh, kantha is an extremely creative and popular embroidery style. Though heavily patronised by tourists, it still maintains strong cultural and social significance within local contexts, and continues to be used to hand-stitch cushions, bedsheets, shawls, sarees and blankets for everyday use.