Who brought the shisha embroidery to India?
the Mughals
Mirror work or shisha embroidery is such an ingrained part of Indian design today, that it’s hard to believe that it was the Mughals who introduced India to shisha work. This style originated in Iran in the 17th century and has since then caught on in several parts of Asia through travellers.
What is shisha fabric?
Shisha work is a type of applied decorative needlework that is characterised by small pieces of reflective material that are sewn onto a cloth ground material. This technique is also known as mirror embroidery. It is popular in many parts of Asia. The term derives from (Persian) shisheh for ‘glass’.
What does shisha embroidery or mirror work to India?
Mirror or Sheesha is one of the most attractive heritages of India in terms of embroidery. Mirror work is used to embellish and decorate a variety of items such as sarees, dresses, skirts, bags, cushion covers, bedspreads, wall hangings and many such items.
Did mirrors exist in the Middle Ages?
During the Middle Ages, mirrors were not seen as commonplace items. Instead, they were an indication of status. Early on, mirror cases were seen as works of art– not just a mean of seeing one’s reflection. Mirror cases consisted of a mirror encapsulated within two flat round discs.
How is Kantha work done?
The traditional form of Kantha embroidery was done with soft dhotis and saris, with a simple running stitch along the edges. In some cases, the entire cloth is covered with running stitches, employing beautiful motifs of flowers, animals birds and geometrical shapes, as well as themes from everyday activities.
Who introduced Shisha?
The hookah or waterpipe was invented by Abu’l-Fath Gilani, a Persian physician of Akbar, in the Indian city of Fatehpur Sikri during Mughal India; the hookah spread from the Indian subcontinent to Persia first, where the mechanism was modified to its current shape, and then to the Near East.
What is mirror work embroidery called?
Shisheh or abhla bharat embroidery (Persian شيشه, abhala bharat; Hindi: आभला भरत, abhla bharat; Gujarati: આભલા ભરત), or mirror-work, is a type of embroidery which attaches small pieces of mirrors or reflective metal to fabric.
What are the 7 basic embroidery stitches?
7 BASIC EMBROIDERY STITCHES FOR BEGINNERS
- Running Stitch. The most basic of all embroidery stitches is the running stitch which is useful when outlining a design.
- Backstitch. Unlike the running stitch, the backstitch creates one, continuous line of thread.
- Satin Stitch.
- Stemstitch.
- French Knot.
- Lazy Daisy.
- Woven Wheel.
How difficult is embroidery?
Learning embroidery doesn’t have to be difficult, and it definitely shouldn’t feel like a huge investment of time and money. It’s actually an easy and inexpensive hobby to jump into! To get started, you only need a basic pattern for beginners and a few supplies.
What is the oldest mirror in the world?
The oldest known mirrors date to around 6,000 BC from the site of Çatal Hüyük in modern-day Turkey. Around 3,000 years later the Egyptians made metal mirrors from highly polished copper and bronze, as well as precious metals.
Where did the embroidery of Shisha come from?
Abhala Bharat or Shisha embroidery from Gujarat. The Shisha embroidery was originated in the 17th century in India. Traditionally, shisheh or abhla bharat work was done using Mica but Beetle, Tin, Silver or Coins were not uncommon depending on the region.
What kind of embroidery is used in Gujarat?
Shisha embroidery is used on many wedding garments, such as the guj, a tunic worn by the bride, and the bokhani, a scarf worn by the groom. Gujarat shisha work typically depicts traditional themes of tragic love stories, battles, heroes, and kings.
What is the meaning of the Japanese word shisha?
Shisha (embroidery), or mirror-work, an embroidery technique used to attach small mirrors to cloth Shisa, a type of Japanese statue derived from Chinese guardian lions This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Shisha.
Where did the embroidery of the mirror originate?
Mirror embroidery is common throughout Asia, and today can be found in the traditional embroidery of the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, China, and Indonesia . Shisha embroidery originated in the 17th century in India.