Framed Beadwork Tapestry, India H: 30″

Description

An Indian toran or bandhanwar is a beadwork tapestry traditionally placed at home doorways and thresholds to symbolize warmth, positivity, and protection and to invite good luck and blessings to the home. This vintage toran contains many significant symbols in Hindu beliefs. The Tree of Life that connects the earth, ancestors and heavenly deities and symbolizes the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth and spiritual growth, enlightenment, divine wisdom. The monkey the Hindu deity Hanuman who symbolizes loyalty, bravery, and selfless service, the horse symbolizing energy and the sun. The pair peacocks symbolize beauty and grace and are associated with many Hindu deities, especially Lakshmi. These decorative tapestries  are also used for weddings, processions, religious festivals, family milestones and other important events. As a source of cultural pride and identity, different regions create unique styles and designs using diverse textiles that may include silk and mirror inlays to add sparkle to the variegated color mix. Especially popular in Gujarat, torans are used in marriage ceremonies and are part of the dowry to attract Lakshmi, the ideal Hindu bride and the goddess of wealth, good fortune, fertility and abundance. Devotees ask her to bless the family and bring prosperity, fertility and birth of children. Their stylized motifs reflect religious, legendary, and genre subjects, and illustrations of Hindu gods.  It is finely mounted in a deep, linen lined wood frame.