Wedding or Festival Skirt c. 1900 - 1925

This wedding or festival skirt was probably made with cotton and mirrors by someone from the Jat community. I love how this piece isn't trying to be anything other than what it is, a garment, but also so much more. Look at the way the creator used mirrors to catch the light! It's a simple trick, but it makes the whole thing sparkle and dance. The cotton is dark, like a night sky, which makes the other colors pop and adds another layer of depth. I'm drawn to the way the simple gold flower motifs are arranged. The stitching isn't perfect, but that's what makes it feel alive and immediate. The colors feel like a conversation between different cultures, a mix of tradition and something totally new. It reminds me a little of the Gee's Bend quilters, who also used simple materials and techniques to make something beautiful and meaningful, blurring the line between art and life.