Banjara Rectangle with Cowrie Shells

The nomadic Banjara people originated in North India yet moved to the Deccan Plateau in the South in the 17th Century. They once worked as carters during the development of the British Railways. Banjara Embroidery is known for it’s vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and the use of embellishments such as coins, cowrie shells, beads, mirror and metal. Angular zoomorphic and geometric designs are created on their pieces and often have cowrie shells around the edge of the textile. The Banjara’s embroidery are usually done with blue, yellow, and red cloth that are quilted.

This piece is a rectangle that has cowrie shells affixed to the edge of three sides. On the bottom of the piece, three clusters of metal and cowrie shells dangle.