Sections of a Prayer Gauntlet (Gaumukhi)

Currently not on view

Sections of a Prayer Gauntlet (Gaumukhi)

Late 19th century

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Hindu devotees use prayer gauntlets during certain rituals of worship. The fronts and backs of this gauntlet have been sewn together to create a rectangular form; however, each side originally would have been composed of two horizontal sections and one vertical section, forming an "L" shape. A gauntlet is worn over the right arm, so that two sections cover the arm while a third drops down beside the hand. As the worshiper says a prayer, his right hand drops prayer beads into the hanging bag. The images embroidered on this one—a cow and cowherd, floral vases, the sun, and the moon—are typical gauntlet decorations.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Sections of a Prayer Gauntlet (Gaumukhi)

Date:

Late 19th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Silk plain weave with silk, silver, and silver gilt thread embroidery in chain, couched, and stem stitches and laid work; spangles

Dimensions:

11 3/4 x 19 3/4 inches (29.8 x 50.2 cm)

Classification:

Textiles

Credit Line:

Gift of Stella Kramrisch, 1961

Accession Number:

1961-176-8

Geography:

Made in Gujarat, India, Asia or made in Rajasthan, India, Asia

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Currently not on view