Silk Nakshe Panel

This silk nakshe panel was made in Iran in the late 19th century. It is made out of silk and backed with block printed cotton.

Nakshe means “embroidery” in Parsi. Nakshe work, originally from Isfahan, was done in squares that were used as legging material for women’s trousers. The design is always done in diagonal parallel bands filled with small flowers. The tight embroidery is done in counted stitch with thick coiled yarns, which makes these panels very sturdy and is why these nakshes became popular as covers, purses, pouches and other utilitarian articles. This example is done in chain stitch and, somewhat unusually, features birds among the flowers.