About this lot
Description
A rare Kushutara Kira, Bhutan, late 18th/early 19th century,
with multiple intricate geometric patterns and motifs in supplementary weft brocading in cochineal and indigo raw silk, on hand spun cotton, 138 x 260cm
Provenance:
Acquired in the early 1980s
Exhibited:
Venice, Textiles du Bhutan pour Expo Venise, 2014
Footnote:
An example of the most expensive variety of Kira, the present lot, a Kushutara Kira, is produced by embellishing the white woven cotton ground with an intricate raw silk single-faced supplementary weft brocade, rather than embroidering afterwards, as it would appear. The rarest and the most expensive Kushutara Kiras do not show any brocading from the back of the cloth, though due to the prohibitive costs and excessive time required to create such garments, this technique is rarely used today.
Condition report:
very fine condition with general wear, staining and fading commensurate with age
Back to lot listings