An independent scholarly archive · Est. 2026 · New Delhi
A Textile Archive
The Krishna Lal Collection
Home/Collection/KL/47/2024◂ PreviousObject 47 of 55Next ▸
Screen printing · —

Screen-Printed Sari

KL/47/2024 · Accession215" × 45"Screen printingCatalogued 25.06.2024● Fair condition
↗ Cite↧ Download record★ Save
KL/47/2024 · PLATE 01
IIIF DEEP-ZOOM · 8400 × 10500
10 cm
Full Object — Front — high-resolution archival photograph
© The Krishna Lal Collection · Photography by [studio] · Licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 for scholarly use. Request high-resolution access via Research Office.
Catalogue Record

Object Metadata

Accession Number
KL/47/2024
Object Title
Screen-Printed Sari
Production State
—
Craft Tradition
Screen printing
Craft Technique
Screen printing; Handloom
Weave Type
Plain weave ground, printed
Primary Materials
Cotton
Tradition
Screen Print
Dimensions
215" × 45" (L × W)
Colour Palette
CreamBlack
Condition
● Fair — Minor wear, handle with care
Current Location
The Krishna Lal Collection, New Delhi
Documented By
Sareekah Agarwaal
Documented On
25.06.2024
Schema Standard
Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT)
§ I — Curatorial Narrative
by Sareekah Agarwaal, 2024

“A printed silk sari featuring a unique colour palette and traditional motifs thoughtfully arranged in perfect symmetry to exude harmony and grace.”

The defining feature of the sari is its two satin borders of varying thickness, running lengthwise on both sides. The satin weave enhances the print with a subtle sheen, elevating the sari’s rich and luxurious appeal.

Inspired by traditional designs, the print seamlessly blends delicate floral motifs with intricately rendered animal figures adding a tactile dimension to the smooth silk surface. Created using the hand screen printing method, the sari is a testament to fine craftsmanship.

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
Screen printing

Screen
Printing

Korvai is the Kanjivaram method of joining a contrasting border and pallu to the body of the sari by interlocking the two sets of warp threads on the loom — not by stitching. It allows a deep maroon body to carry a mustard border that will never come apart, and is the structural signature of a true Kanchipuram silk.

STEP 01
Set two contrasting warps
STEP 02
Interlock the warps at the join
STEP 03
Weave with up to three shuttles
STEP 04
Add the supplementary zari
Open technique family
DIAGRAM — Korvai process
Fig. III.1 · Korvai · Contrast-border joining
Cite This Object
Agarwaal, S. (2024). Screen-Printed Sari (KL/47/2024). The Krishna Lal Collection: An Archive of Indian Textile Traditions. Retrieved 25 Oct 2026 from krishnalal-collection.org/collection/kl-47-2024.
ChicagoMLAAPABibTeX
Institutional Access
High-resolution archival files and physical examination access are available to museums and accredited researchers.
Open Research Inquiry