Woman's festival head covering late 19th-early 20th century

This textile, a woman’s festival head covering, was likely made in India, using cotton and dye. The piece bears all the hallmarks of tie-dye – in India known as bandhani – a technique where sections of fabric are pinched together and bound tightly with thread before dyeing. This painstaking process resists the dye, creating intricate patterns of small circles and geometric shapes. The cloth is sectioned off into different fields of color: a neutral center surrounded by concentric borders of red and indigo, further embellished with stylized vegetal and figural motifs. This elaborate design, coupled with the delicate nature of the fabric, speaks to the time and skill invested in its production. As such, it would have been a valuable commodity, reserved for special occasions. Considering the cloth as a whole, it’s clear that the aesthetic significance goes hand-in-hand with the artistry of making. This head covering transcends simple utility, inviting us to consider the rich intersection of culture, craft, and design.