Skirt Fragment

A length of plain-weave indigo-dyed cotton fabric consisting of multiple pieces sewn together; looks as though there were once more pieces attached to complete the rectangular length. Stitched with counted thread embroidery and mirror work in yellow floss silk (pat in Punjabi) and brown two-ply twisted cotton thread. The design is a geometric abstraction of plant motifs, consisting of trapezoidal lozenges and thin stems with three mirrors per motif, with motifs stacked vertically in staggered columns. Stems are sewn in herringbone stitch on some pieces. Also contains some cypress tree motifs. Embroidery was done after pieces were sewn together. The field is sparsely filled (not a bagh design in which the field is covered with stitches).