Pale-Green Tibetan Lotus Brocade
Dry clean only. Store folded in a soft muslin pouch away from direct sunlight to keep the sheen alive.
Description
Pure Silk Handloom Brocade<br>Weaver Kasim Family of Banaras. 23 Inches Wide
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Behind this piece
The lotus, in Tibetan iconography, rises through murky water to bloom immaculate, and the Kasim family of Banaras has spent generations coaxing that very symbolism into silk. Their brocade tradition belongs to the Banarasi karigar lineage, where the Mughal-era draw-loom gave way to the jacquard, yet the intention remained devotional. This pale-green ground, cool as early morning jade, carries a repeat that is neither purely Indian nor purely Tibetan, but something that formed at the confluence of pilgrimage routes and merchant exchange. It is woven on a handloom, thread by considered thread.
How to style
Pair this brocade, cut as a wraparound skirt, with a raw-silk ivory blouse and Kolhapuri chappals for a quiet afternoon at a heritage property. For a wedding reception, have it stitched as a structured kurta and layer a sheer organza dupatta in champagne over one shoulder, finishing with antique silver chandbalis. For cooler months, a tailored brocade jacket over a white kurta pyjama reads beautifully at a literary festival or gallery opening. Avoid heavy gold jewellery; the pale green asks for pearl, silver, or unpolished moonstone.
Fabric & care
Pure silk brocade holds memory in its weave, and the Kasim family's handloom construction makes each thread load-bearing in its own way. Dry-clean only for the first wash, and thereafter, if hand-washing at home, use cold water with a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Never wring or twist. Lay flat on a cotton towel to dry, away from direct sunlight, which yellows pale silk over time. Store folded in a soft muslin cloth, never in plastic, and place a single clove or cedar block nearby to discourage moths. Press only on reverse, on low heat.
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