Jamdani
Coming soon. Jamdani is a handwoven textile known for its sheer beauty and featherlight feel, where intricate motifs—florals, paisleys, and geometric forms—appear to float across fine cotton muslin. Woven on traditional looms using a discontinuous weft technique, each design is inserted by hand, thread by thread, without the aid of mechanical guides. The result is a fabric that looks as if it's been embroidered by air itself—delicate yet enduring, translucent yet richly patterned, with a quiet elegance that reveals itself in the light.
Francesco Renaldi, Muslim Lady Reclining, ca. 1789. This painting depicts a young woman—likely the wife of an English merchant in Dhaka (present-day Bangladesh) wrapped in a diaphanous muslin, like Jamdani. Although it was painted by a European artist and filtered through a colonial gaze, the work showcases the power and presence textile craftsmanship. The sheer, finely woven garments stand out. Dhaka’s 18th century muslin industry was legendary—once the pride of Bengal and a centerpiece of global trade. Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection. Public domain (U.S.).
