Kantha
Bengal Kantha Sari
“A cutwork woven cotton sari adorned with an all-over pattern of vine- like leaves, reminiscent of the traditional jamdani weave.”
The use of thicker and double threads as extra wefts lends density to the motifs, making them stand out against the sheer woven base. Delicate hints of green in the border add a touch of understated elegance, while the classic white-on-white motifs throughout the body create a timeless appeal.
Scattered throughout, small green-highlighted leaves appear as if they are gently drifting in the breeze. The detailed cutwork in the borders and pallu (end-piece), inspired by jamdani-style motifs, combined with the soft, muted colour palette, enhance the grace of the sari.
Purity; spiritual awakening; cosmic order. Identified across the lengthwise borders of this object.
Open motif entryContinuity; the rhythm of nature. Identified across the creeping borders of this object.
Open motif entryIn cutwork (sometimes called the lattice or jaal jamdani method), the supplementary pattern weft is floated freely across the back of the cloth and then carefully sheared away between motifs once the weaving is done — leaving crisp, isolated figures on a sheer ground. It is the everyday cousin of true jamdani, faster to weave and widely produced in Bengal and Varanasi.