AN INDIAN DHURRIE

Striped dhurries are the most popular and widely-used dhurries in India. They were also favoured by the British and most of the dhurries brought back to Europe were striped or geometric flatweaves. These floor-coverings had dual purpose and were used both in houses as bedding and seating, and outdoors during religious festivals and large gatherings. Sir George Birdwood, in The Industrial Arts of India (London, 1880), saw the dhurrie as a mainly Hindu textile, but their widespread use amongst the Muslim population, particularly those of saf design, such as lot 275a, would suggest otherwise (see N. Chaldecott, Dhurries, London, 2003).