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.

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.

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.

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jm

Oct 2013

Update 2017: Both saris have now been sold.