Product Description
Antique Gujarat Girl’s Headdress
Material: Cotton, mirror
Style: Gujarat, India
Size: Height 9 cm (front) 22 cm (back), Diameter 14 cm
Order Number: MHSAAHH1
This is a girl’s hat, made by the Hindu Mochi caste in Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat.
They specialised in chain-stitch embroidery using a tool called an aari. It is similar to a cobbler’s awl. It is a wooden handle with a fine needle with a small notch just above the point, which forms a hook. The embroiderer can thereby make very fine loops.
The Mochi say they are descended from the Rajputs or Brahmans, thereby giving themselves a higher status. They don’t eat beef or become midwives.
There is a legend that the son of the god Brahma sacrificed cows to the gods, ate a portion of the sacrifice, then restored life to the offering and sent it back into the forest. Then one day he didn’t resurrect the cow because his pregnant wife had stolen it. This caused her to be cursed and she gave birth to the first Mochi. They are debased Brahmans.
From the 17th century the Mochis became the most celebrated embroiderers in India. They are mostly Hindu (about 65%) and also Muslim. Originally, and they still do, make leather shoes, boots, handbags, harnesses, leather aprons, suitcases and saddles. There are about 170,000 in Gujarat.
There is a similar one, slightly different pattern, in the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, Australia (Accession number275.2010).
Mid-20th century.
Map of Bhuj.
Please ask for the price (or make an offer).
