A Visually Beguiling Kantha Bedcover: Countless Thousands of Stitches
mid twentieth century
69 1/2" x 51", 176.5 cm x 129.5 cm
What an absolutely magnificent looking, graphically stunning kantha, bedcover--one that is detailed with an uncountable number of stitches which can be clearly seen in the many accompanying detail photos.
The kantha textiles from Bangladesh and West Bengal in India are a well-known folk textile artform and they are one of India's most prized textile traditions.
Kantha stitching has its roots in ingenuity and the culture of women: used cloth was salvaged, cut and layered and was transformed into quilts, bags and clothing. In the case of the kind of kantha offered here, a running stitch was used over the appliqued or joined pieces of cloth in order to strengthen and bind the layers of the coverlet together. Coverlets like this one were constructed of many layers, the number of layers dependent of the weather of the region where a particular kantha was stitched.
This particular kantha, is pieced with a beguilingly interesting design that achieves a kind of an echo motif, a kind of ripple effect, or a kind of dimensional look which is, honestly, fascinating to look at.
The large scale of the design on this textile is impressive, especially when it is seen displayed on the wall as artwork. Likewise it could be used as an area rug, a throw or a bedcover.
This coverlet is well-used and its surface abrasion and some stains attest to that.
The design, again, is fascinating and certainly commands one's attention.
Very recommended.
