Benares (also known as Varanasi) has been an ancient centre of production of brocades woven with silver or gold and fine silk; gaining distinctionduring the Mughal era. Persian motifs were combined with traditional designs to create the signature floral designs. The tradition of the Benares brocade continues to the present day, with a community of Muslim weavers in Benares, Gorakhpur and Azamgarh keeping it alive. Benares brocades incorporate intricate motifs like the intertwining floral motifs, a string of upright leaves, among others. This is a Benares brocade with motifs of male dancers and peacocks on red ground with a broad border. The Benaresbrocade was and continues to be a part of the wedding trousseau of most Indian brides; a practice seen among Singapore’s Indian communities too.
