Lucknow Zardozi
Embroidery
History
Zardozi is a Persian textile craft involving gold embroidery, introduced to India in the 12th century. Skilled artisans create intricate designs using zari wire. The craft flourished under Mughal rulers, becoming a symbol of royal costume. Today, zardozi remains a celebrated craft, with artisans preserving traditional techniques while adapting to modern fashion trends.
Raw Materials and Tools
RAW MATERIALS
Velvet (Fabric weave)
Silk (Textile)
Chiffon
Gold zari, Metal wire
Georgette
Zari, Sequins, Sitara
TOOLS
Ari (Awl)
Embroidery Needles
Karchob (wooden frame)
Process
Lucknow is renowned for its exquisite embroidery, particularly zardozi, on fabrics like georgette and chiffon. This craft uses a unique karchob frame and various zari wires, including badla, salma, and dabka. Originally made from silver-plated gold, modern zardozi uses copper, lurex, and polypropylene. Lucknow's dabka work, featuring coiled thin wire, creates intricate designs along with embellishments like chakri and sitara.
Design and Color
Lucknow is known for fine floral motifs. Zardozi embroidery in Lucknow is inspired by nature and uses motifs like flower buds, fruits, animals, and many more. Intricate trellis patterns, vines, and creepers fill the main body of the designs.
Product Range
Scabbards for swords and daggers, caps, ghagras, covers for boxes, combs, and mirrors, as well as umbrellas, fans, shoes, bags, belts, saddle cloths, seat covers, carpets, bolsters, saris, suits, dupattas, and lehengas, as well as jackets, shirts, long skirts, and oversized scarves, among other items.
Additional Information
