The lace trim on this bedding piece represents a 400-year old tradition. The craft first developed near the delta of the Godavari River, where women in fishing communities made fishnets, honing their skills with needle and thread from a very early age. During the Mughal empire, the technique was used to adorn prayer rugs and caps. From these origins, the delicate, characteristic patterns created today evolved in the late 19th century, when woman were supplied thread by Belgian missionaries, gaining self-employment to create beautiful lace that were ultimately exported across Europe.

Kantha is a native household craft originating from women in rural Bengal. The word kantha refers to a running stitch. Classic Kantha textiles are characterized by this stitch, which is often used to produce motifs such as flowers, birds, animals, and other folk scenes from everyday activities. Kantha is traditionally used to create men’s and women’s garments, such as dhotis and saris. In addition to garments, several layers of cloth can be embroidered together to create quilts and coverings for mirrors, boxes, pillows, and other decorative objects. The Kantha stitch gives the textile a beautiful textured character.

This pillow is a replica of a vintage piece from Uzbekistan was handmade in the traditional suzani embroidery technique and consists of delicate silk embroidery on a silk-cotton blend backing. Suzani, which is embroidered with a tambour hook, is a classic Central Asian textile characterized by flowers and meandering vines. A specialist known as a chizmachi draws out the suzani pattern, then each fabric strip is given to an embroiderer, and finally the finished pieces are sewn back together. The result is a grand work created by several hands, producing charming irregularities and subtle mismatches that balance out the precision of the stitch. The flower designs seen here are symbolic of fertility and fruitfulness. These textiles are traditionally used as wall hangings or as a woman's marriage dowry. The suzani's decorative embroidery is also thought to possess a protective element.