This velvet plum pudding decoration is a staple of the Christmas dinner table, featuring traditional ivy designs sewn in silk thread and red berry beads.
Handcrafted in India and intricately embroidered using the ancient zardozi tradition. Zari – meaning gold – embroidery originated in Persia and reached India in the 12th century. This is a highly skilled technique that traditionally used gold wires and jewels to embellish courtly robes. Today zardozi work is a rare and respected craft and is recognized as one of the Ancient Handicrafts by the Government of India.
Made by St Nicolas, who for over 30 years have worked with a small Christian charity in Thailand that helps disadvantaged rural women find work in their community, rather than being forced to leave home to work in a factory. Today, some 200 skilled women work at home sewing decorations, and many of them have been doing so for more than 10 years.
Materials: Crushed velvet, sequins and glass beads with zari thread
Dimensions: 12 x 6 x1cm
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