Sash (<Patka>) with a Floral Border

Unknown

second half 17th century · Cotton, silk; plain weave, embroidered · Islamic Art

Men’s sashes, called patkas, were wrapped two or three times around the wearer’s waist and tied with their ends hanging down in the front. Worn over jamas, the long robes typical of the time, they allowed Mughal men to display their wealth by tucking daggers, pencases, and other precious objects into the fabric. A row of floral sprays is embroidered onto each end of this patka. After being exported to Europe through the British military’s presence in colonial India, a modified version of the patka was worn in tuxedo sets, taking its name from the Hindustani and Persian term kamarband, which means ‘waist bound up’.

Artist

Unknown

Date

second half 17th century

Medium

Cotton, silk; plain weave, embroidered

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

The Alice and Nasli Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Alice Heeramaneck, 1983