Catalogue of hand-stitched work · Dhaka
Every stitch
keeps a story.
Nakshi kantha throws, jamdani scarves, terracotta, jute and bamboo, made by hand in Bangladesh and catalogued like museum pieces: what it is made of, how it is made and how to care for it.
Nakshi kantha throw
Running stitch on layered cotton · from ৳3,200Six rooms
of the collection.
Open any room to see what is on display, with materials and measurements listed beside every piece.
See every pieceKantha quilts and throws
Layered cotton, hand stitched
Jamdani scarves and stoles
Figured weave on a handloom
Terracotta ware
Fired clay, lamps and vases
Jute and natural fibre
Bags, baskets and wall pieces
Bamboo and cane
Trays, baskets and lampshades
Shital pati and mats
Cool woven floor and bed mats
Just arrived
from the workshops.
Fig. 1. A nakshi kantha in section, drawn not to scale. Real pieces differ by region and maker.
How a kantha
is read.
Border band
A darker cloth edge that frames the field, often cut from an old saree border.
Running stitch
Straight rows of small stitches hold the layers together. This is the heart of kantha.
The motif
Flower, fish, boat or tree of life, drawn in thread by eye or from a pencil outline.
Edge thread
Coloured thread, often taken from the pulled-out saree border, finishes the edge.
Soft backing layers
Two to five layers of worn cotton, washed soft, make the quilt light and warm.
Five materials,
five patient crafts.
Look closely at what each piece is made from before you choose.
Old cotton
The layers of every kantha. Washed many times, so it is soft before it is stitched.
Handloom cotton
Jamdani scarves: motifs woven into the cloth on a loom, not printed.
Fired clay
Terracotta lamps and vases, shaped by hand or wheel and fired in a kiln.
Jute fibre
The golden fibre, twisted and woven into bags, baskets and wall pieces.
Bamboo and cane
Split strips woven into trays and baskets. Keep dry, wipe with a soft cloth.
Old cloth,
new life.
antha began as a way to give old cloth a second life: layers of worn cotton joined with small running stitches. Today the same hands add flowers, boats and fish in coloured thread. Each piece below is made by a small workshop, and no two are exactly alike.
Small workshops and women's groups in rural Bangladesh.
A full-size throw takes weeks of evening work.
Small irregularities in stitch and colour are part of handwork, not faults.
What you can
expect.
New and hand-finished. Each piece is checked for loose threads and stains before packing.
Textiles folded in cotton cloth, clay and cane wrapped in paper and boxed.
Dhaka ৳70, outside Dhaka ৳130. Courier takes 2 to 5 days.
Cash on delivery all over Bangladesh. Open the parcel, check, then pay.
Seven days to exchange a damaged or wrong item. Send a photo on WhatsApp.
Ordering for a shop or abroad?
Tell us the pieces, quantity and country. We reply with availability, lead time and a written quote. We do not promise dates before we have confirmed with the workshop.
Send an export enquiryWritten in
their own words.
The stitching is finer than the photos. It came folded in cotton cloth and smells of the sun. My mother asked who made it.
Six lamps, all arrived whole. One has a small thumbprint in the clay, which I like. Good packing.
Light, soft and exactly the colour shown. They told me clearly to wash it by hand and I did.
Footnotes to
the catalogue.
Short answers to what buyers ask most. Anything missing? Ask us.
Ask on MessengerIs nakshi kantha washable?
Yes, gently. Wash by hand in cool water with mild soap, do not wring, and dry flat in shade. The colours of hand-dyed thread can bleed the first time, so wash it alone.
Will mine look exactly like the photo?
Close, never identical. Handwork varies in motif placement and colour. We show the real piece in the photo wherever possible, and tell you if a different one will be sent.
How do I care for terracotta?
Handle gently and keep dry. Lamps and vases are for decoration, not for food or water storage unless the page says so.
Can I order for export?
Send an enquiry with pieces, quantity and country. We reply with availability, lead time and a written quote. Shipping and duties depend on your country.
How do I pay?
Cash on delivery within Bangladesh: open the parcel, check the piece, then pay the courier. This is a demo shop and prices are samples.
Found a piece
you love?
Fill the slip or message us. We confirm every order by phone or chat before it ships.