Antique Silk Embroidery with Houseboats, Birds and Florals: Late 19th, Srinagar, Kashmir, India
This piece is a vibrant example of Indian silk embroidery featuring a lush, narrative scene with several traditional motifs.
We believe this piece is from the same area as the famous ‘map shawl’ in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Large, colourful birds, including a pair of fanciful creatures that may represent a kingfisher, and a highly decorative lovebird, symbols of courtship and affection in Indian textile tradition.
The bottom of the panel depicts a river with fish and traditional Kashmiri houseboats or "shikaras," as well as a figure in a top hat—a detail sometimes seen in 19th-century Anglo-Indian pieces influenced by European styles.
The background is anchored by a flowering tree, an ancient motif symbolizing the interconnectedness of all life.
The layout creates a classic narrative of a village ecosystem. The lotus flowers signify purity and life, while the fish swimming in the water at the bottom represent fertility, harmony, and prosperity.
Measurements:
47.5cm across x 31cm high
Condition:
We have professionally stretched and mounted this panel over a lined and interlined conservation grade board, ready for framing. It is in excellent condition.