Hand-tied Bandhani Scarves & Shawls
The name “Bandhani” derives from the Sanskrit term meaning “to tie.” Tied resist is a traditional technique that has been practiced in India for centuries.
Each dot is the result of creating a tiny peak in the cloth and then tightly wrapping thread around the peak to resist the dye. Artisans work with precision as they slowly pattern the entire cloth - a lengthy process with an exquisite outcome.
Multiple colours are the result of variations of both the tying and dyeing process. In Japan, this type of shaped resist is known as shibori. In the West small tie-and-dye pieces were widely traded and became known as “bandanas” - after the Indian term bandhani. During the counter-culture revolution of the 1960s, large brightly coloured, tie-and-dye patterns became emblematic of the hippie movement. The eloquent and finely detailed tie-and-dye known as bandhani predates this style by over a thousand years.
Maiwa works directly with bandhani artisans from Rajasthan and the Kutch Desert of Gujarat, Western India.
These shawls are made of 100% silk and 100% cotton. Some are finished with tiny pom-pom fringes. All retain the distinctive sculptural texture of the bandani process. These are versatile and beautiful cloths: a distinctive accent when worn, and equally elegant when placed on a table or hung in front of a window.
