Dhaka muslins, originating from the Ganga Delta in present day Bengal, India and Bangladesh, are among the finest muslins produced by India. Muslin saris dyed in dark colours such as blue, black and red were immensely popular. While inexpensive cottons incorporated woven or embroidered motifs of multi-coloured flowers, fine Dhaka muslins ornamented with zardosi embroidery were highly valuable, prized possessions. This is a fine example of a jamdani weave from the Dhaka region. The name jamdani is of Persian origin; “jam” meaning flower and “dani” meaning vase. Jamdani were woven on the loom with rich, decorative motifs; usually in white and grey, sometime using a combination of gold and white thread. This slate blue jamdani sari is woven with jali or lattice like pattern on the body with silver thread and floral motifs are incorporated into the border and pallu.
