Antique Bengal Kantha featuring a wild and asymmetrical scene with a small off-center mandala. It is full of various motifs from fish, horses, elephants, and people. The people can be seen in pairs stacked on top of one another, riding a horse and an elephant as well as inside a Vimana or flying palace. The whimsical borders add to the wonderful chaos as they completely shift from large floral symbols to rosettes and eventually to triangles in different sections.

Large Antique Kantha - 4’6 x 5'6

Regular price $750.00 Sale

This Nakshi Kantha was crafted in Bengal during the early 20th century.

Kantha is a Bengali folk tradition of embroidering textiles using recycled cloth. This Kantha features a wild and asymmetrical scene with a small off-center mandala. It is full of various motifs from fish, horses, elephants, and people. The people can be seen in pairs stacked on top of one another, riding a horse and an elephant as well as inside a Vimana or flying palace. The whimsical borders add to the wonderful chaos as they completely shift from large floral symbols to rosettes and eventually to triangles in different sections. This is all achieved with a limited palette of various red and blue threads on plain white cotton ground.

In good condition with areas of wear and staining with several small holes

Special Provenance: Previously owned by artist Carol Summers

 

Size: 4’6" x 5'6" [137cm x 166cm]

Age: Q1 20th Century (1900-1925)

Country of Origin: Bengal

Type of Textile: Kantha 

Material: Recycled cotton

Condition: Good - areas of staining and wear, several small holes


 

TX367

 

Check out our South Asian and Kantha collection!