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Sunday, November 28, 2010

{Silk and Wool Birds as Gift from Pond's India}


Before, I did show you our birds as artwork from India, that we purchased.
Today I want to show you some special birds, made by hand in wool and silk.
 Distinctive chain stitch embroidery, done in Kashmir, the northern part of India. We both received the bigger wool chain stitch embroidery for our work period from Pond's India. It has a canvas back and it shows lots of birds in it. Most of you know the Pashmina shawls from Kashmir, they have been quite a fashion statement. Luckily for those poor people, for having an outlet for their artistic work.
Above it is on top of our solid French oak blanket chest in the guest bedroom.
It used to be just an open planter box but my talented brother Harry made a solid oak lid for it. We carried it back on the plane with us... 
Those were the good days without stupid restrictions on maximum baggage weight!
My husband Pieter has seen the women in Kashmir actually make this kind of embroidery during his trip to Kashmir earlier.
He was sent in 1981 by the Dutch government as a committee member, of the special Mission of H.R.H. Prince Claus, see link below post.
 Women did this work but their teacher was a man. Somewhere we must have slides from it, but for now I cannot add them... one day when I find them I will do that! Look below; link has been added!
For another work period as consultants, both of us did receive an identical chain stitch embroidery done in silk. That fit beautifully  above the two solid French oak twin beds in our guest bedroom. 
Detail of the silk chain stitch embroidery, worked on a cotton Aida cloth. 
The silk embroidery has a very nice hand; meticulously done.
We proudly came home on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with these treasures.
They make for a lasting memory, of working with pleasure over a decade for a great company!

Related link:


12 comments:

  1. Liebe Mariette,
    ich b in immer wieder erstaunt wo Ihr schon überall ward und was für schöne Dinge Ihr aus vielen Teilen der Welt zusammen getragen habt.
    Es sind immer so ausgefallene Stücke die sich wunderbar in Dein Heim einfügen, einfach wundervoll.

    Ganz liebe grüße
    Beate

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  2. Liebe Mariette,
    was für wundervolle Kostbarkeiten........die zurückhaltenden Farben haben es mir auch sehr angetan!!!! Eure Gäste werden bestimmt herrlich träumen, mit dieser paradiesischen Szene direkt überm Bett!!!! Eine traumhafte Woche und allerliebste Grüße,

    bis bald, herzlichst Jade

    PS: Bei uns schneit es unentwegt.......es ist schon ein richtitiges Winter-Wonderland ;))!!!!

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  3. Hallo Mariette,
    das sind wirklich beeindruckende Kunstwerke. Heutzutage, wo Zeit eine Kostbarkeit ist und Handarbeit fast nicht mehr bezahlbar ist, kann man den Wert solche aufwendig gearbeiteten Stücke kaum ermessen. Darüber hinaus sind die zarten Farben und die filigrane Ausgestaltung natürlich ein besonderer Genuss.
    Schöne Grüße, Johanna

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  4. Prachtig borduurwerk- echt heel bijzonder.Nog een hele fijne eerste Advent gewenst, en hartelijk dank voor alle positieve feedback op mijn blog!!!
    Liefs.
    Bea

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  5. Such gorgeous and intricate work! I admire this type of creative patience and wish I had it, my poor husband even has to dran his own socks! Always lovely to hear from you, I am a bit remiss on commenting but should be back up to speed in January. Much love XO

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  6. Hi Mariette, I love your "treasures" in truth you've shared so many treasures and gifts from his travels in many countries, oh my God! those are really beautiful embroidery. All manual labor of every people has a meaning for me as valuable, because understanding the process of elaboration, is often admirable! , Affectionate greetings, Rose Marie

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  7. Wow Mariette,
    I absolutely love this! The work is so intricate! Beautiful!

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  8. Hoi Mariette,
    prachtige dingen, die je weer laat zien!
    Hier flink sneeuw nu en komt nog meer!
    LG,
    Nicole

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  9. Zo delicaat! Erg mooi, en het verhaal erachter maakt ze natuurlijk alleen nog maar mooier!
    Een lieve groet vanuit een koud & wit Versailles.
    Bisous, Chantal

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  10. HELLO MARIETTE....

    LOVE YOUR BEAUTIFUL TREASURES LUCKY GAL YOU! TO OWN SUCH BEAUTIFUL ITEMS, YOUR SO KIND TO SHARE THEM WITH US, I HOPE YOU FIND THE SLIDE ON MAKING THEM :)IT SURE WILL BE INTERESTING VIEWING THEM!

    XO~MARI

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  11. Hi Mariette, I have many rugs in this style but would never use them on the floor. I hang them on the wall or use them as accent pieces on furniture as you have. It is amazing the work that goes into such things. So many wonderful crafts come out of India. A country rich in culture and color. Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday. :) Tammy

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  12. That's another lovely treasure, Mariette. Erg mooi!!
    Sending some sweet snowflakes your way ***x***x***

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Mariette...