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Muga silk weaving · Assam

Muga Silk Sari, Textured Border

KL/13/2024 · Accession215" × 46"Muga silk weavingCatalogued 14.05.2024Good condition
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KL/13/2024 · PLATE 01
IIIF DEEP-ZOOM · 8400 × 10500
10 cm
Full Object — Front — high-resolution archival photograph
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Catalogue Record

Object Metadata

Accession Number
KL/13/2024
Object Title
Muga Silk Sari, Textured Border
Production State
Assam
Craft Tradition
Muga silk weaving
Craft Technique
Handloom weaving
Weave Type
Plain weave
Primary Materials
Muga silk
Tradition
Muga Silk
Dimensions
215" × 46" (L × W)
Colour Palette
GoldenMaroon
Condition
Good — Stable, no active deterioration
Current Location
The Krishna Lal Collection, New Delhi
Documented By
Sareekah Agarwaal
Documented On
14.05.2024
Schema Standard
Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT)
§ I — Curatorial Narrative
by Sareekah Agarwaal, 2024

This one-of-a kind hand-woven sari in pure muga silk is a symbol of rich Assamese culture.

The body of the sari is enhanced with phool butis in black and white eri silk, closely spaced to create an elegant pattern. The textured border in black and white eri silk is a vision to behold with its contemporary take on traditional weaving.

The borders along the lengthwise sides have been woven separately and then stitched on to the main fabric. The pallu (end-piece) is adorned with diamond motifs interspersed with white meenakari work, adding to the sari’s classic allure.

With its shimmering appearance reminiscent of spun silver, the sari exudes a sense of richness and elegance. The pallu is finished with small bunches of black and white tassels, completing this piece.

Footnotes
  1. 1 See Mohanty, B.C., Ikat Fabrics of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, Calico Museum, 1980.
  2. 2 Field interview, master weaver, March 2024.
  3. 3 Refer to motif index entries below.
§ II — Motif Analysis
2 motifs identified
Vines
लताएँ

Continuity; the rhythm of nature. Identified across the creeping borders of this object.

Open motif entry
Geometric
ज्यामिति

Cosmic order; mathematical harmony in weave. Identified across the woven ground of this object.

Open motif entry
§ III — Technique
Muga silk weaving

Muga Silk
Weaving

Several of India's painted-textile traditions descend directly from ritual wall and floor art: Madhubani from the Mithila murals of Bihar, Warli from the Adivasi wall paintings of Maharashtra, Sohrai from the harvest art of eastern India. Applied to silk and cotton with natural pigments and bamboo or twig pens, they carry a graphic, narrative density unlike any woven design.

STEP 01
Prime the cloth
STEP 02
Sketch the composition
STEP 03
Fill with natural pigments
STEP 04
Outline and detail
Open technique family
DIAGRAM — Hand Painting process
Fig. III.1 · Hand Painting · Pigments on cloth
Cite This Object
Agarwaal, S. (2024). Muga Silk Sari, Textured Border (KL/13/2024). The Krishna Lal Collection: An Archive of Indian Textile Traditions. Retrieved 01 Jun 2026 from krishnalal-collection.org/collection/kl-13-2024.
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