Bolt of Gold and Silver Cloth with Beetle Wing Embroidery

Description:

A bolt of gold and silver fabric embroidered with green beetle wings in the shape of a flower motif, from India and presumably used by Elizabeth/Sharaf un-Nisa.

Provenance:

Palmer family archive, Devon, England

Subject:

Textiles; Embroidery; Beetle wing; Colonial India; Art; Attire; Craft; 18th century; Insects; Handmade; Mughal; Gold; Silver

Physical Description:

1 cloth, 31'' L.

Geographic Subject:

South Asia; Bengal

Rights:

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Notes:

Beetlewing embroidery is a traditional craft practiced in India and several other Asian countries that used the wing casings of iridescent beetles. Beetles of the genus Sternocera were most prized due to their emerald green color and metallic shine.

Physical Location:

UA SNED 37A

Collection:

Lord and Lady Palmer Collection