DETAILS:

The Dhankuta Lumbar Pillow is rich in color and pattern, making it a conversation starter in any room it’s placed. The unique Dhaka weave on the right side features a long history of a fabric used in most religious ceremonies from birth to death in Nepal. Complimenting the Dhaka weave is a beautiful mirrored embroidery from Pakistan and a traditional backstrap-woven fabric from Vietnam. This is truly a one-of-a-kind pillow.

• 15” x 23”

• Front—cotton

• Back—linen, in beige

• Zipper closure

• Down feather insert

• Fabric origins: Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam

THE STORY:

This is one of my favorite throw pillows. The elegance, sophistication and color palette of the two handwoven Dhaka fabrics—featured on the right side of the pillow—are from Nepal. The geometric Dhaka design is an intricate and traditional hand weaving technique practiced by many generations of weavers. Dhaka patterns are unique and special, and truly a form of the rich, cultural expression reflecting the Nepali mastery of craftsmanship. I did not have an opportunity to visit the Dhaka weavers when I was in Nepal but have appreciated the infinite numbers of patterns and colors I have seen in the markets. The Dhaka fabric I’ve used is from the Association of Craft Producers, a fair trade organization located in Kathmandu.

Complimenting the Dhaka weave is a beautiful mirrored embroidery from Pakistan. I’ve always appreciated the incredible embroidery of Pakistan. I have tried several times to travel to visit the country, but due to several reasons, including travel alerts by the U.S. government, it has been impossible for me to visit. Fortunately, through my work with the fair trade organization SERRV International, I was able to have embroidered fabrics sent to me. The piece in this pillow is exceptional. The Pakistan Phulkari embroidery technique you see in this piece is from the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent and literally means “flower work.” At one time, Phulkari was also the word for embroidery. This fabric is rich in colors of oranges and purple, with accents of green. The patterns alternate in color and design.

The traditional ethnic fabric on the left was woven on a backstrap loom by the Thai Hill Tribe women of Mai Chau in northern Vietnam. The pattern design is woven with a supplemental weft technique called khuyt. During the six visits I have made to Vietnam, not once did I have the opportunity to visit the Hill Tribes in the northern part of Vietnam, but I must admit that the textiles produced by the Hill Tribes are notably some of my favorites.

When visiting Craft Link, a fair trade organization in Hanoi whose mission is to support ethnic minority groups and traditional craft producers to revive and promote traditional culture and skills through handicraft production, I was able to collect many beautiful examples of the textiles made by the Hill Tribe women and products from the Craft Link shop as well.