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Notes on Culture & Antique Art, Ethnic Decor & Vintage Fashion | Wovensouls Art Gallery

Antique Colonial-Era Saris

Two rare & unique saris from a bygone era.

Rare because of their age.

Unique because of the unique English motifs woven into the borders of the sari – woven in Banaras prior to 1900.

ANTIQUE BANARASI SARI WITH REAL ZARI

ANTIQUE BANARASI SARI WITH REAL ZARI

The presence of the crown on the Brown Augergine sari indicates that this was probably a gift from an important British Raj official to an Indian associate’s family – or that this was presented on the occassion of forging of a marital alliance between a British Raj official and an Indian.

ANTIQUE BANARASI SARI WITH REAL ZARI,

ANTIQUE BANARASI SARI WITH REAL ZARI,

ANTIQUE BANARASI SARI WITH REAL ZARI,

 

VIEW TIMELESS ART FROM THE VANISHING CULTURES OF ASIA

The magenta sari has motifs of bridal bouquets with ribbons and an inscription of ‘Sada Saubhagyavati Bhava’ – May you always remain a bride – a popular blessing given to all married women.

Both were acquired via my jeweller from an Industrialist’s family when the generations that knew the brides who wore this had passed on and the family had no use for it.

Both have precious metal content in the Zari – which explains the bright lustre of the zari even a hundred years later.

More images on WOVENSOULS.COM

jm

Oct 2013

Update 2017: Both saris have now been sold.

2 comments on “Antique Colonial-Era Saris

  1. paro
    April 12, 2014

    where to get this benarasi..?

  2. wovensouls
    April 12, 2014

    Hello
    Please write to jaina@wovensouls.com for this
    Thanks

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