Have it delivered hassle-freeBuyer protectionAll Designer items curated by WhoppahDownload the Whoppah App – get alerts & sell with ease.
India Banjara Embroidered Ceremonial ‘Gala’
€150Bid from €75
Buy with confidence
Shop & pay safely with Buyer ProtectionDesigner items curated by WhoppahWe only pay the seller once you have safely received the itemTrusted payment methods
About this seller
Private sellerProduct description
A ‘gala’ is a cotton textile patch used by Banjara (also called Lambani, Lambada) women to carry pots on their heads, usually pots with water. This original piece is a ceremonial ‘gala’, a richly ornamented textile worn or displayed during weddings, festivals, and other important social occasions. The color palette—predominantly deep magenta, red, black, cream, and yellow—is typical of older Lambani/Banjara embroidery. It measures 28 x 22 cm, and is tightly embroidered, enclosing six larger and numerous smaller pieces of mirror (called ‘shisha’). The outside is decorated with cowrie shells, of which some are missing. In the right bottom corner a tassel of cowrie shells forms an original weight, the middle and the left one are missing. This is a fine example of lepo embroidery, which involves stitching pieces of mirror, decorative beads, shells and sometimes coins onto clothes. Banjara (or Lambada) people, often called the gypsies of India, are nomadic tribes living together in tight-knit communities. They probably originate from Rajasthan and Gujarat, but these days are also present in Central and Southern Indian states, like Telangana and Karnataka. This authentic piece, entirely handmade, is in excellent condition, although some of the shells are missing and the edges show signs of use.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsRedMaterialCottonNumber of items1Height22 cmWidth28 cmDepth2 cm
Discover more
Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerThe Hague, NetherlandsOn Whoppah since April 2026 • 1 sale