Majestic red decorated with golden
lace and an elongated paisley border create a fine
pattern and displays the amazing intricacies that can be
performed in a weave. This sari truly represents the
beauty of
India.
Click on the left side visual
The warp and
weft colors differ (you can see the warp colors at
the lower end of the image), and colors change as
it moves. The camera can't capture that effect,
but it is quite remarkable.
I
don't know the age, but there are some small holes
and edge fraying, and the silk has no trace of the
stiffness that I associate with later textiles
from mainland southeast Asia. One person who saw
it said that she was sure that it's 19th century.
Maybe it is, maybe not.
Lynton's book, The Sari mentions that
use of gold (as opposed to gold-colored) thread
was common in Benares saris until recently, and
illustrates a corner that of a wedding sari that
was saved as a memento when the owner incinerated
the rest of it to recover the gold. So the thread
in ours may actually be gold. Then again, maybe it
isn't.
Benares Brocades or Varanasi
Silks are some of the richest sarees produced in India and is the
most in demand sari for weddings and functions. The famous Varanasi
sari has elaborate brocaded ornament, often infused with gleaming
zari and woven on very heavy guage silks. The ornament style
associated with it is primarily Persian. Delicate floral and
architectural ornaments, figures and animals rendered in detailed
multicolor threadwork lend the sari it's elegance.
Click on the below visual
Click on the above visual
Bridal Pink and Golden Jamawar
Brocaded Bridal Sari from Banaras. Pure Silk
Mustard Banarasi Valkalam Sari
with Golden Thread Weave. Pure Silk.
Hand-woven Coral and Orchid
Valkalam Sari from Banaras with Floral Weave on Border. Pure
Silk
Red Bridal Banarasi Sari with
All-Over Tanchoi Weave. Pure Silk
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