Rich and Vibrant Banarasi Brocade Silk

Banarasi brocades are some of the finest luxurious fabrics that India has to offer. The fabric is a specialty of Varanasi, formerly known as Banaras, hence its name. Brocade work can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Throughout history, brocade has been a fabric of luxury in various cultures. It was mostly worn by those belonging to royal families across countries like Greece, Korea, China, Japan, and the Byzantine Empire. The work was introduced to India through the Silk Road once the flourishing trade route was established between India and China.

Brocade is a heavy fabric similar to jacquard with a raised pattern or floral design. Traditionally, the pattern was produced with gold or silver thread of superb quality. There is evidence of different textured brocades since the Rig Vedic period (c. 1750-500 BCE), including the fabric of gold known as Hiranya Vastra. Silkora, a mixture of silk and cotton, is a modern textile innovation of Banarasi brocade.

Originally, when this form of fabric was introduced to India, local artisans adapted it to the predominantly Hindu culture by creating motifs of the sun, moon, stars, animals, and plants. However, after the Mughal Period, Persian patterns filled with flowers and paisleys became the norm. Both styles of motifs have been in existence for close to 2000 years and are both used in contemporary brocade work as well.

The rich Banarasi fabric is widely used to make cushion covers, bags, table mats, runners, and other decorative items which are popular all over the world.

We present rich and colorful Banarasi bags, purses, decorative table accessories which can be the perfect choice for your lifestyle. We also have specially handcrafted brocade multi-purpose boxes, jewelry boxes, and eco-friendly kora grass boxes with brocade lids.