mat
| Object Name: | mat |
| Object Type: | mat |
| Category: | FURNISHINGS & ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES |
| Sub-category: | basketry textiles |
| Material: | fibre, cotton grass dye |
| Technique: | split dyed woven |
| Catalogue Number: | Ef199 |
| Origin-Province: | West Bengal |
| Origin-Country: | India |
| Origin-Continent: | Asia |
| Other Geographical Data: | Contai Region, Midnapur district |
| Culture: | Bengali |
| Geo Cultural Area: | North & Central India |
| Cultural Context: | floor covering |
| Latest Production Date: | 1975 |
| Description: | Rectangular grass mat of fine regular weave. The mat has a large border around all sides in purple on a natural-coloured ground. The border has many bands ranging in thickness and motifs. The outer band has a geometric motif. The middle band has a floral |
| History of Use: | The antiquity of woven mats in India is supported by archaeological evidence and references in ancient texts. Mats are among the most important of household items in every strata of society. They are essential to most domestic activities and are used in sleeping, eating, sitting, and entertaining. The finest mats of West Bengal are woven of madur grass, grown and harvested by weavers of Hindu cultivator castes. This village-based industry is now assisted by the West Bengal Home Industry Board to establish cooperatives for mat transport and marketing. |
| Height: | 176 |
| Width: | 109 |
| Unit-Linear: | cm |
| Iconographic Meaning: | Both the elephant, vehicle of Indra and associated with Ganesh, remover of obstacles, and the horse, are auspicious symbols and represent good luck. |
| Department: | Museum of Anthropology |
| Institution: |
UBC Museum of Anthropology
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| Institution City: | Vancouver |
| Institution Province: | British Columbia |
| Institution record: | Full record provided on the museum's site |
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