138-139 / 168
136
137
82
JAJIM WITH
GALLOPING HORSES
SUKHANDARYA, CENTRAL
ASIA, CIRCA 1930
Handspun and handwoven wool,
natural dyes
68.5 x 147 in (174 x 374 cm)
$ 6,065 - 9,095
Rs 4,00,000 - 6,00,000
This large
jajim
is made from nine
equal pieces stitched together
along the selvedge. It is edged
along the lengths with black
and white wool to keep the
fabric strong and taut. Woven
by women, it was probably used
as a spread or cover in tents by
the nomadic pastoralists who
lived in these areas. Designed in
alternating stripes the pattern is
an ancient form of a galloping
horse. The animal was crucial to
the nomadic way of life and this
jajim
could, in a sense be paying
homage to the horse.
In 1996, Jasleen Dhamija was
working
in
Kashka-Dariya,
Uzbekistan, when she attended
the traditional celebration of
Buzkashi, literally ‘goat grabbing’
in Persian. It refers to a rough
game, said to be the origins of
polo, where expert horsemen
speared a goat or calf carcass and
fought their way to the goal with
it. During this game, the winner
was presented with a car and this
jajim
. The winner later sold the
jajim
to Jasleen.
81
RED CHOGA MAN'S ROBE
KASHMIR, CIRCA 1930
Handspun and handwoven wool, hand embroidered
50.5 x 67.25 in (128.5 x 171.2 cm)
$ 4,550 - 7,580
Rs 3,00,000 - 5,00,000
This striking man’s robe in red wool with fine embroidery in yellow and
orange threadwork makes a regal statement. The embroidery has been
done on sections that are attached to the edges of the robe, at the slits of
the pockets, around the shoulders and on the back. Elegant and stylised
botehs
, in various sizes, some small and forming a repeat pattern, others
with the long, graceful neck of a swan are visible. The robe is closed with
two buttons, made of the same embroidered fabric, with toggles.
The robe is large in size, indicating that it was probably tailored for a
statuesque man.
Chogas
such as these were often made on commission
for men from the Punjab or Rajasthan.