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.

The Indus Valley civilizations were the first to cultivate cotton. India held a global monopoly on cotton for about 3,000 years - from 1500 B.C. to 1500 A.D. Cotton was traded first to Greece and the Roman empire before becoming a major export to Europe, from basic prints to complex multi-step resist dye and hand-painted fabrics. In the 19th century, the first steam-powered cotton mills were built, ushering in the modern age of the Indian cotton industry. After World War II, cotton became an important symbol of independence from British colonialism.

This pillow features a replica of a Turkish flat tapestry-woven kilim rug originating from the tribal and nomadic cultures of Anatolia. Each region producing kilims employs its own distinctive patterns and colors in the rug design. The kilim weaving technique creates clearly defined geometric shapes which are highly valued by collectors. Kilims are used either as prayer rugs or purely for decoration. In recent years, these textiles have become an increasingly popular collector's item around the world.