Sari Item Number: Ef254 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Large rectangular piece of thin, muslin-like, tie-dyed cotton. Fabric has been folded in four and entirely covered with closely spaced, knot-like resist ties that penetrate all four layers of folded cotton, giving the material a puckered appearance. The outer border of the fabric has been dyed orange, while the rectangular centre is a deep red. Where resist ties have come undone at one end, a minute dotted motif of white, yellow, and green circles surrounding tiny red or orange centres emerges.

History Of Use

Rajasthan is one of the leading areas in India for plangi technique. At one time exports were considerable. In clothes for sale, resist ties are not normally removed but untied in only one corner to reveal all colours. This enables buyer to distinguish between handmade and factory imitations. This sari, purchased in a cloth bazaar, is the most inexpensive type and is worn throughout Rajasthan, especially in Jodhpur. Bright colours such as these reds and yellows are popular there.

Specific Techniques

Ties demonstrate plangi, a technique in which a design is obtained by bunching and tying portions of fabric so that dye will not be absorbed. After dyeing, these resist portions emerge as negative patterns, either scattered or in groups.

Cultural Context

woman's dress

Item History

What

Name
Sari
Identification Number
Ef254
Type of Item
sari
Material
cotton fibre and dye
Manufacturing Technique
tie-dyed
Overall
height 198.0 cm, width 47.0 cm

Who

Culture
North India
Previous Owner
Stephen Inglis
Received from
Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

When

Creation Date
before 1977
Collection Date
during 1977
Ownership Date
before December 2, 1977
Acquisition Date
on December 2, 1977

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
0411/0138