Costume and Textiles Kantha (Embroidered Quilt) Made in Jessore District, Bangladesh, Asiaor West Bengal, India, Asia Late 19th century Artist/maker unknown, Bengali or India Cotton plain weave with cotton embroidery in back, darning, satin, split, running, and dot stitches Currently not on view 1968-184-14 Gift of Stella Kramrisch, 1968 |
LabelThe inscription on this kantha reads, in part, "The world is ephemeral. Look, the body is ephemeral. Water does not stay on a lotus leaf." It then invokes the names of Hari (Krishna-Vishnu; God). The goddess Durga is depicted within an arch as if a temporary clay icon created for the annual festival of Durgapuja, one of the highlights of the Bengali ritual calendar. She is flanked by her four children (elephant-headed Ganesha, peacock-riding Karttikeya, and the goddesses Lakshmi and Sarasvati) while her husband, the god Shiva, rises from her head. The wide border, florid corner kalkas, single-sided embroidery, and row of black and red heads above the elephant all speak of woven forms. |
