Vintage Beaded Purse from Gujarat

A unique vintage purse from Gujarat decorated with scenes from village life.

The decoration on this old purse is made up of small coloured beads creating patterns that depict women churning curd and someone riding a horse.

There are beadwork borders around each scene and lines of trees. Beadwork is often used as an alternative to embroidery in the decorative textiles of Gujarat. The silk brocade around the top of the purse is badly worn but shows the metal threads that are part of the brocade.

Early to mid 20th century.

Dimensions: approx 15x26cm