Shawl

Item number Ef409 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

A long rectangular brown fabric piece that has red, yellow, and white embroidery. Three joined panels with each end of the piece covered partway up the lengthwise edge with yellow binding. Rest of the edges are yellow blanket stitching. Entire piece is covered with yellow and red embroidered uniformly-sized circles. Spatial divisions marked by small white, embroidered squares resembling tie dying. Four striped red, and yellow maces with red centres are interspersed with fourteen peacocks. Typical embroidered jewelry in several places. Central lotus has three red, and three yellow petals. Both ends are embroidered with three vertical bands of red and yellow flowers starting with a white lozenge pattern, then a white zig zag pattern, and finishing with a plain alternating red, yellow, and red flower pattern.

History Of Use

Once an important part of bride's trousseau. May now be used for bedspreads, curtains, dresses, bags, and cushions.

Iconographic Meaning

Peacock symbolizes beauty and immortality and is the vahana of Subrahmanya, the six-faced god and son of Shiva. In striped motif, the mace is one of Vishnu's symbols and denotes power of knowledge. Lotus, symbolizing eternity, plenty, purity, and unfolding creation, is also one of Vishnu's symbols.