This stunning Nakshi Kantha shawl is perfect for a classic evening look. Simply drape the shawl evenly over your shoulders so it hangs loose in the front and back, or dress as seen in the photos, it’s so versatile.
Works beautifully over gowns, sarees, formal dresses and suits, or simply with a pair of jeans and your favourite white crisp shirt.
Size 34 inches width. 101 inches length.
Nakshi Kantha is a traditional form of embroidered quilt native to Bengal, particularly in Bangladesh and the West Bengal state of India.
- The word “Kantha” means quilt in Bengali.
- “Nakshi” comes from naksha, meaning artistic patterns or designs.
- So, Nakshi Kantha literally means decorated or embroidered quilt.
- It has centuries-old roots, believed to date back to ancient Bengal’s rural households, where women reused old saris and dhotis to create something beautiful and useful.
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Materials and Technique
- Traditionally made by layering old cotton saris or dhotis and stitching them together with colorful threads.
- The stitching is usually done in running stitch, which creates both the quilting and the design.
- Threads are often pulled from the borders of old saris.
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Designs and Motifs
- Nakshi Kantha designs are highly symbolic and narrative.
- Common motifs include:
- Flowers, vines, trees, and animals
- Geometric patterns and paisleys
- Daily life scenes, rural activities, and folk tales
- Religious symbols like the lotus or the tree of life
- Each piece is unique, reflecting the maker’s imagination and storytelling.
