Hanging Item Number: Ef421 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Silk square, with a yellow centre and purple border. Centre embroidered with sixteen red, green and white peacocks and mirror-centred flowers it is bordered by mirror-centred flowers and leaves. The pattern is edged with a row of multi-coloured undulating ovoids and chevrons, embroidered with untwisted silk(?); backed with white-yellow cotton and bound with red cotton. Hanging loops present on the two lower corners.
Hung in inner courtyard during Hindu festivals.
Embroidery stitches include herring bone and chain buttonhole stitches.
festivals
Peacocks signify beauty and immortality. Mirrors. Compensate for arid dessert conditions by reflecting pinpoints of light which resemble shimmering water.