Women’s Block Print Scarf
Yellow with green paisley and glass beading
Made with block print technique, an ancient textile tradition where artisans use hand-carved wooden blocks to stamp intricate patterns repetitively onto the fabric. Centered mostly in Rajasthan and Gujarat, this highly precise craft utilizes natural dyes, resist-paste methods, and multi-generational techniques to produce unique, slow-made textiles. The scarf is edged with decorative glass beading. The repeating Indian paisley, known as the buta or kairi, symbolizes life, eternity, and fertility. Its teardrop shape originally represented a growing seed, a cypress tree, or a raw mango.
This scarf was purchased at an Anokhi Shop in Jaipur. Anokhi’s roots lie in Jaipur, a city whose founders were enlightened patrons of the arts and crafts.
-
Anokhi was founded by John and Faith Singh in 1970, began when Jaipur’s block printing industry was at a low ebb. Modern manufacturing processes had already marginalized handmade practices, the local patronage system was effectively lost and customers were steadily diminishing.
Anokhi helped revitalize these age-old skills of local craftspeople in the Jaipur area: block carvers and printers, dyers, embroiderers and bead workers.
Anokhi became known as an alternative role model for good business practices and its ongoing commitment to the revival of traditional textile skills.
In 2005 the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing was opened.
There are 25 Anokhi shops in India. All remain deeply committed to supporting traditional craftsmanship.
Title: Women’s Block Print Scarf
Date: 2007
Geography: Rajasthan, India
Medium: Cotton, rayon
Dimensions: H. 48 in. 20 W. in.
Provenance: Purchased at Anokhi Boutique, Jaipur, India
Inventory Number: IN.29
