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Silk Zardozi is one of the finest, ancient crafts still produced by hand in Kashmir. It employs dupioni silk, a fabulous fabric created with the tangled fibers of two silk worms that have spun their cocoons close together. The naturally interlaced fibers are used together to make the thread of which dupioni is woven. Dupioni silk has “slubs,” bumps that give the silk a unique texture and look that is prized by artisans. Silk dupioni also is easy to dye, which makes it an incredible choice for these hand-dyed pillow covers.

Zardozi itself is a beautiful, traditional weaving of metallic gold thread. The word itself means “sewing with gold thread.” Zardozi once graced the garments, walls, and tents of kings and royalty on the Indian sub-continent, as well as adorning the accoutrements of their horses and elephants. A highly prized art, Kashmir Handcrafts is proud to present these glorious cushion covers. The softness and incredible color of the dyed dupioni silk combined with the intricate hand-stitched Zardozi creates a glamorous accent piece for your décor.
While Zardozi was greatly popularized in the Mughal Dynasty in the 16th century from the patronage and encouragement of Akbar the Great, it is said that the Zardozi style of embroidery has been around since the time of the Rig Veda which stems, at the latest, from the 11th Century B.C.E.  Industrialization, as well as some royal rulers who sought to eradicate the Mughal Dynasty arts, led for a long time to the near disappearance or cheapening of the art. However, Kashmir Handcrafts is proud to participate in a renewal of this handcraft which is helping to sustain Kashmiri villages by restoring this original art.
The Zardozi covers should be dry cleaned only.