Kantha (Embroidered Quilt)

Currently not on view

Kantha (Embroidered Quilt)

First half of 20th century

Artist/maker unknown, Bengali

The upper chamber of the large processional chariot in the center enshrines Jagannatha, a form of Krishna, next to his brother and sister. Across the chariot's lower level are written the names of the god in a sequence chanted by Vaishnava devotees: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. In the lower area appears the four-armed goddess Lakshmi lustrated by two storm-blue elephants that emphasize her role as bringer of prosperity. The naturalistic drawing style of many of the outlined images on this kantha, including camels, boars, and two tiny locomotives, might derive from illustrations in English children's books and other printed materials readily available during the first half of the twentieth century.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Kantha (Embroidered Quilt)

Date:

First half of 20th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Bengali

Medium:

Cotton plain weave with cotton embroidery in back, darning, satin, running, seed, dot, and eye stitches

Dimensions:

68 × 42 inches (172.7 × 106.7 cm)

Classification:

Textiles

Credit Line:

The Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Collection, 2009

Accession Number:

2009-250-23

Geography:

Made in Undivided Bengal, Asia Possibly made in Bangladesh, Asia Possibly made in West Bengal, India, Asia

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Currently not on view