A FINE METAL THREAD EMBROIDERED INDIAN WALL HANGING
Lucknow, Awadh, Northern India, 19th century

The ground of midnight blue velvet heavily and elaborately worked in gold metallic threads wrapped around a silk core and silver metallic thread in French knots in a variety of stitches, and spangles, with a pair of confronting lions above an arch supported by twisting columns, an imposing cluster of stylised pomegranates within and a flowering urn beneath the arch, the elaborate borders with scrolling leaves, a row of pomegranates above, edged in metal thread fringe, in a modern red lining, horizontal hanging metal strips, 206cm x 106cm.