Part of a man's sash ('patka'). Fine white muslin, embroidered in purple and green silk to imitate a weaving technique - ca.1800

This fine sash (patka) would have been worn by a man around the waist of a tailored robe, probably of the type called a jama. It is woven of fine cotton muslin made in Bengal, then in eastern India but now in Bangladesh, which was traditionally a centre for weaving such fabrics. It is embroidered in a neat floral design with coloured silks in simple running stitch. This embroidered design, which conforms to the Mughal style of the 18th century, was probably meant to imitate a more costly woven pattern.

This elegant sash is of fine muslin embroidered in a pattern which suggests a woven design, with a typical late Mughal floral motif. One end is embroidered with horizontal rows of small stems of conventional flowers in purple with green stalks and leaves. Bands of undulating floral and leafy stems enclose these stems above and below and along the sides.

Source : V&A, London