Thirma Phulkari

Phulkari are embroidered shawls that are part of rural women’s dowry. They originated in Punjab part of which became India and the other part belong to Pakistan.The bride to be would start work while young, working from the back of plain cotton and employing stitches that would show as much of the silk  threads on the front.

The design of the phulkaris is mostly traditional but not rigid, and there are flights of fancy, especially in the Hindu phulkari that feature naturalistic motifs such as human figures and farm animals. Muslim Phulkaris tend to be more abstract. This phulkari is Muslim and features a design of pink florals and zig-zag vines. Small details of green threads complete this beautiful piece.

White-ground phulkaris were made in the 19th century, but in the 20th century embroiderers began to also use deep red-brown or blue ground fabrics that had been dyed with madder or indigo.