19th century

Thirma Phulkari

Artist/maker unknown

The embroidery of both this phulkari is stitched on a finely-woven white khaddar. This provides the common name of thirma (white) phulkari, which are typically worn by older women. The phulkari shows a pattern reminiscent of the weaving technique called ikat, distinguished by the spikey or blurry irregularities of its design that is a result of the threads being dyed and then woven together to create the pattern (rather than the pattern being dyed onto finished cloth). The technique, color, and pattern seen in this thirma phulkari indicate it originated in western Punjab, now in Pakistan.