Late 19th century

Kantha (Embroidered Quilt)

Small, rectangular kanthas like this are usually called arshilatas (mirror-covers) although they served a wider range of functions. The mirror is important in Bengali marriage rites not only as one of the bride's personal objects, but also because the groom holds one in his hand through parts of the ceremony. The seven figures on this piece-three men in short jackets and formal dhotis (lower garments) with decorative pleating, two holding stalks of grain, and four women in variously patterned saris-all raise their right arms to perform a group dance on the occasion of a wedding or agricultural celebration. Some of the embroidery in this piece is done in silk thread, something rarely found in historical kanthas.