Mat

Item number Ef208 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

Data
Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Large plaited mat of plant fibre. Design is created by pattern of the weave in natural coloured fibre, a checkerboard effect being created. Mat is fine, flexible, cool to touch. One side is polished.

History Of Use

The antiquity of mats in India is well known: they are among the most important items of household furnishings in every strata of society and essential to most domestic activities, sleeping, eating, sitting, and entertaining. The Sitalpatti mat such as this one is a highly regarded sleeping mat in hot weather due to the coolness of fibre and ability to absorb moisture. Sitalpatti have been woven in many designs and of such fineness that a full size mat could fit into a pocket. Hindu mat weaver castes carried traditions of Sitalpatti when they emigrated to West Bengal, following creation of Bangladesh. Sitalpatti leaf, once widely available in East Bengal, is now cultivated and harvested in Assam. Weavers obtain it by bid in government auctions each season. This mat was made by a group of Kalingar weavers who pursue their traditional occupation by making rough mats for sale in markets like Calcutta.