Rope Borders

A motif that resembles a twisted, coiled rope, it is used as a border around another image or motif. The rope border motif is commonly found in textiles, ceramics and sculptural works.

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Alam

A religious processional object used by the Shi’a community on Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram. It is considered a…

Tribhanga Pose

Also known as the "triple-bend position," it is a standing pose found in Indian classical dance forms such as Odissi…

Hamsa

An aquatic migratory bird associated with geese or swans in Sanskrit literature, and the mount of the Hindu goddess Saraswati.…

Bel

A popular floral motif, it depicts a climber or vine. Also known as Bel Buti, the motif is found in…

Ardhaparyanka

An asana or posture wherein the figure is depicted half-sitting on one folded leg while the other hangs at an…

Mubbagam

A design element in Kandagi and Kanjivaram saris, featuring three colours.

Thazhampoo Reku

Textile motif comprising jagged triangular forms, repeated as a band along sari borders, particularly Kanjivaram saris from Tamil Nadu in…

Chakravaka

An aquatic bird resembling geese or swans that recurs in Buddhist and Hindu iconography. In Buddhism, it appears in representations…