Kantha (Embroidered Quilt)
Artist/maker unknown, Bengali
Geography:
Made in West Bengal, India, Asia
or Bangladesh, Asia
Made in Undivided Bengal, Asia
Date:
19th centuryMedium:
Cotton plain weave with cotton embroidery in back, buttonhole, chain, darning, satin, split, running, arrowhead, eye, zig zag with backstitch variation, and dot stitchesDimensions:
22 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (57.2 x 21 cm)Curatorial Department:
Costume and TextilesObject Location:
1994-148-709Credit Line:
Stella Kramrisch Collection, 1994
Made in West Bengal, India, Asia
or Bangladesh, Asia
Made in Undivided Bengal, Asia
Date:
19th centuryMedium:
Cotton plain weave with cotton embroidery in back, buttonhole, chain, darning, satin, split, running, arrowhead, eye, zig zag with backstitch variation, and dot stitchesDimensions:
22 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (57.2 x 21 cm)Curatorial Department:
Costume and TextilesObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:1994-148-709Credit Line:
Stella Kramrisch Collection, 1994
Explore the Collections
At times, the stitching on the front (the side from which the embroiderer worked) and the back of kanthas presents a mirror image, a quality called dorukha (do=two; rukh=face, direction). In general, kanthas uniquely exploit the versatility of the simple running stitch, using it to yield not only textured background effects but also to outline and fill individual motifs. Here, as in many kanthas, the patterns imitate those of the woven sari borders from which the colored threads, themselves, were pulled.
