Astral-Aura Auspicious Handloom Buddhist Fish Patch from Banaras
Dry clean only. Store folded in a soft muslin pouch away from direct sunlight to keep the sheen alive.
Description
Pure Silk. Length-6" , Width-5.5"<br>Weaver Kasim Family of Banaras
Behind this piece
Banaras has woven its spiritual imagination into silk for over a thousand years, and the Buddhist fish, known in Sanskrit as Matsya, carries within its form one of the oldest symbols of abundance and liberation. This patch emerges from the handloom tradition of Varanasi, where Ansari weavers work the draw-loom to articulate sacred motifs with a precision that no machine can replicate. The auspicious twin-fish motif, shared across Hindu, Buddhist and Jain iconographies, appears here in pure silk, each thread catching light the way temple gold does at dusk.
How to style
Stitch this patch onto the hem of an ivory Chanderi kurta for a contemplative, gallery-ready look, and let oxidised silver jhumkas do the quiet talking. For festive occasions, centre it on the back of a silk dupatta draped over a tissue silk lehenga, pairing the ensemble with Kolhapuri heels in tan. A third reading: appliqué it onto a plain tussar stole to transform everyday office wear into something considered, finishing with a single strand of freshwater pearls and pointed-toe mules in nude.
Fabric & care
Pure silk demands patience. Hand-wash this patch alone in cold water with a mild, pH-neutral detergent, never rubbing the surface. Rinse without wringing; press gently between two clean cotton towels to remove moisture. Dry flat, away from direct sunlight, which fades natural silk lustre irreversibly. Do not tumble-dry. Iron on the lowest silk setting with a pressing cloth between the iron and the weave. Store flat or rolled in a soft cotton muslin cloth, never in plastic, which traps humidity and weakens the fibre over seasons.
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