Kalaga, or embroidered weaving from Myanmar, formerly Burma |
"I just love these plain, bare walls," said no one ever! As far back as prehistoric times, even cave dwellers had taken to decorating their walls; but we only have to go back 150 years ago in Burma, now called Myanmar, to discover a unique type of embroidered weaving commonly hung on walls. Called kalaga, the embellishments on this unique art form utilized gold, silver, gemstones, beads, and sequins, all put in service to tell a story.
The level of detail in this eight-panel kalaga is hypnotic |
This week’s New Arrival features one of the largest kalaga we’ve seen. Over eight feet in length, its border is composed of stylized hintha birds, the Burmese symbol for purity of character. Look further and you’ll see angels, soldiers, animals, attendants, babies, water bearers and more – all set against a star-ridden night sky. Their woven voices are so enchanting they can transform any wall from bleak to chic.