This antique cotton dhurrie showcases a beautiful Mughal botanical pattern, reflecting the tradition of flat-woven cotton carpets, known as dhurries. These carpets are mentioned in Mughal chronicles from the 15th century and are considered one of the earliest forms of floor coverings. Dhurries were woven in various formats to serve different purposes, from bed covers to prayer mats. Most of these dhurries originated from the northern region of Rajasthan, where they were often woven in local jails. These pieces were frequently commissioned for specific areas within the Maharaja’s palaces.
This finely woven example features a pattern inspired by 17th-century pile carpets made for the Mughal court. The field showcases a continuous repeat of polychrome diamonds, each containing a variety of botanical motifs reminiscent of the fine rugs of the Mughal period, which were knotted with pashmina pile. The refined burgundy ground border is typical of a rare group of early Mughal weavings and displays a graceful green vine motif with polychrome blossoms sprouting from it.