This gold kimkhab brocade would have been woven in Benaras, which was the epicentre of fine brocade weaving during the 19th and 20th centuries. Benarasi brocades gained prominence during the Mughal period, and continued to be patronised by royalty and the British up to the 20th century. Over time, patterns and techniques evolved, and the export market provided new designs for weavers.This stole shows a very unusual repeated pattern of Krishna and Radha sitting on a swing, which is hanging from the branch of a tree. A pair of parakeets is perched on the tree. Designs such as these can be seen from the 20th century onwards.
