HISTORIC INDIAN TEXTILES OF GOLD AND SILVER

Precious metals have held a status of their own ever since their discovery. Their use has not only been an indication of power, status, and luxury, but also an example of intricate craft skills exhibited by artisans worldwide. Gold and silver, perhaps the oldest precious metals and also the most popular have had a diverse use in various fields, including textiles. The incorporation of these metals in textiles led to the production of a plethora of textile crafts, each demonstrating a unique feature, skill, and technique. Due to the unique qualities exhibited by the crafts; each textile holds an importance of their own. The terms of many of these textiles are often used interchangeably, however, important minute differences distinguish these textiles from one another, which is often times overlooked. Over the years, these various forms of crafts gained popularity, flourished and were even favourites among the Indian rulers and royalties of the yesteryears. However, with the loss of royal patronage and the decline in investment in the handicraft sector, most of these art forms are either languishing or are not produced anymore. To retain the culturally rich arts of India, the significance associated with them, and most importantly the techniques employed to create such masterpieces, it thus becomes important to document these artforms. This article explores the various textiles that incorporate gold and silver with respect to the technique used to produce exquisite fabrics which depict the dexterity of Indian craftsmanship