Kent State University Museum: A Dance of Light and Color

Exhibition

A Dance of Light and Color: Embroidered and Brocaded Garments of India
Stagger Gallery, November 4, 1998 to September 19, 1999
Anne Bissonnette, Curator

Saris
East India, 20th century
Iridescent gold silk gauze with burgundy brocaded borders (pallu)
Kent State University Museum
The Shannon Rodgers Collection, KSUM 1987.41.35 and 34

Red wool shawl (chaddar)
North India, Kashmir, late 19th century
Red wool twill with gold thread embroidery
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection, KSUM 1983.1.1044

Man's coat
India, second half of the 19th century
Light green wool twill with allover gold thread embroidery with silver accents
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection, KSUM 1983.1.936

Wedding shawl (chaddar)
India, Rajasthan, 20th century
Red silk chiffon in bandhani tie-dyed surface design with sequins and gold thread embroidery
Kent State University Museum
Silverman/Rodgers Collection, KSUM 1983.1.931

Shawl
North India, Kashmir, 20th century
Red wool twill with ivory silk floss embroidery
Kent State University Museum
The Shannon Rodgers Collection, KSUM 1987.41.172

Sassanian inspired contemporary saris

The sari on the left is ornamented with a cavalier and horse motif derived from Sassanian prototypes (Persia, 3rd-mid 7th century). The roundels, birds, trees-of-life and paisley patterns (boteh) are descended from Central Asian motifs preferred in early Persia and China. All these forms of decoration remain extremely popular for Indian textiles.