Pakistani Mid-Century Embroidered Dowry Bag
A beautiful and characterful mid-century Pakistani embroidered dowry bag, made from layers of richly coloured textile and covered with hand embroidery.
The vivid pink ground is worked with hundreds of small, individually embroidered motifs in cream, yellow, green, blue and orange. Along the lower edge, a delicate border of embroidered floral and looping motifs adds another layer of detail. The surface has the wonderful irregularity and evidence of handwork that makes these textiles so special, with variations in stitch, colour and pattern throughout.
Traditionally made as part of a dowry, such textile bags were used to store and transport household possessions and formed an important part of a woman’s trousseau. This example has constructed using scrap and block-printed fabrics for the lining.
A versatile piece: it could be displayed as a textile artwork, used as a decorative cover, or repurposed as a pillowcase.
Details:
• Mid-century Pakistani textile
• Hand embroidered
• Traditional dowry/trousseau bag
• Lined with assorted block-printed fabric scraps
• Suitable for use as a decorative pillowcase
• Some age-related wear and irregularities consistent with its history and handmade nature
• One-of-a-kind piece
Size: Approx 90cm across, 45cm down
Open at one side to put in items or use as a pillowcase.
Please note, as this is a vintage piece, there may be some age related marks.
