Hunza valley embroidery
Central Medallion Cushion Cover with Rosette Border
Cushions
A tan inner field frames a cruciform central medallion in teal, cream and ochre, surrounded by a pale blue border scattered with red and lime sunburst rosettes and a leaf-and-bud outer band. The radiating rosettes and stepped medallion recall the floral and star motifs of Hunza needlework, layered border within border. Embroidered in the manner of silk cross stitch on a woven ground, its lively colour makes a cheerful accent cushion.
The tradition
Hunza valley embroidery
Embroidery is the secret weapon behind Hunza Carpet, and the cushion covers are where it is most intimate. The tradition grows out of the pillbox caps that Hunza women embroidered for their own use, worked with Chinese silk that arrived over the passes on Silk Route caravans.
Today educated women artisans embroider cushion covers with the same fine silk-thread stitches, reviving old cap-and-veil designs alongside new compositions for the home.
Motifs & meaning
Reading the design
Cushion designs draw directly on the names and meanings recorded in Hunza's embroidery tradition.
Turangkish
Ibex horns — the emblem of the Karakoram's wild goat.
Tamuts
The snow leopard, elusive guardian of the high mountains.
Urki itsu
A wolf's foot, a protective tracking motif.
Kishtimuts
A boat, recalling travel and the crossing of waters.
Materials & technique
How it is made
Hand-embroidered in real silk thread using Hunza's traditional stitches — erāghi cross and roll stitch, qalmi long-and-short floral work — on a woven ground.
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