Tapestry - 152 cm - 80 cm

Traditional Kalaga wall tapestry (literally "foreign tent"). The specific embroidery technique is called Shwe Chi Doe ("gold thread sewn").
Estimated Period: Second half of the 20th century (roughly the 1970s or 1980s). The vivid colors and the type of sequins suggest a vintage production but not ancient (which would date to the 19th century).
Place of Origin: Burma (Myanmar), Mandalay area.
Materials and Construction Technique
The work is created through a complex layering process:
Base: A black velvet backing (pure cotton or silk blend) which serves to make the golden decorations stand out by contrast.
Padding (3D effect): The elephants and main motifs are produced using the paliotto technique. Under the embroidery, cotton wool or plant fiber is inserted to give volume and relief to the figures.
Embroidery and Applications:
Filaments: Heavy use of metallic threads (zari) in gold and silver for the outlines.
Sequins and Beads: Hundreds of hand-sewn circular sequins and glass beads decorate the caparisons of the elephants and the frame.
Frame: Not present