Mat

Item number Eg57 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Rectangular grass mat of fine regular weave. The mat is natural-coloured with bands of dark red, orange and green at both ends. Also at both ends is a wide band with green geometric motifs flanked by dark red bands.

History Of Use

The antiquity of woven mats in India is supported by archaeological evidence and references in the ancient texts. Mats are among the most important items in household furnishings in every strata of Indian society and are essential to most domestic activities and used in eating, sleeping, sitting and entertaining. The Pattamadai mats are woven of wild korai grass which is collected twice a year. It is slit into strips, dyed and woven into mats on a simple frame floor-loom, utlizing a string warp. The mat is finished with a polishing stone. Specialist groups of weavers are known Tamil Nadu both among Hindu and Muslim peoples. Many mats are now marketed through co-operatives.