Beaded Door Hanging, Toran
CultureNorthern Indian
Dateearly 20th century
MediumGlass beads, cloth, and metallic thread
DimensionsOverall: 27 × 34 inches (68.58 × 86.36 cm)
Credit LineGift of Howard Lay
Object number2014.33
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionThis door hanging, known as a toran, is comprised of beadwork with woven cotton cloth backing. Meant to frame the top of a doorway as a sign of welcome, the toran is comprised of an upper horizontal band with narrow vertical segments extending downward along each side. Five small hexagon shaped pendants hang from the center of the horizontal band and terminate with small tassels. The toran features a colorful exterior border pieced together from thin strips of multi-colored cotton fabric. Colorful glass beadwork decorates the interior sections of the toran. A simple backdrop of white beads highlights the colorfully beaded designs of abstracted patterns, vegetation, human figures, and various animals, including peacocks, elephants, horses, and lions.
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