Seeded in the hamlet of Zari in Iran, acclimation of the Tilla threads of malleable gold and silver happened in Kashmir by a revered Sufi saint, Shah-e-Hamdan. These were hammered to form fine threads and the patterns were influenced by the chain of the thoughts of the artists on needlework. Mughals were mesmerized by its grandiose. They used epoch pieces of Tilla in their royal courts, thus setting it into a timeless fashion. This aesthetic blend has been tingling the fashion curation of the royals since time immemorial. The posh designers fancy this intricacy for the Grammy award chiffonier while the glamorous women admire themselves in the dresser’s mirror.
Gold and silver form the prime adornments for the Kashmiri wedding wardrobe. The myriad of Kashmiri brides use Tilla as bejewelling apparel. Minimalist brides even do not consider wearing the neckpieces as an addition.
Golden threads of Tilla age like fine wine, they become the soul of the fabric they are embroidered on.
In modern-day Kashmir, the needlework of gold and silver threads on apparel makes a hole in the consumer’s pocket and hence only the elites can afford it ever since. There came a time when this gold and silver touched an exorbitant high and that is when the artists pronounced the use of gold and silver dust in embroidery. Gold and Silver-plated copper replaced the precious metal altogether, hence making it a perfect bargain for the middle-class.
The sequel of Tilla Dozi begins with a crafter tracing the design on paper and then perforating the paper over the design with a specifically numbered needle. The process in Kashmiri is called ‘Trombun’. These prints are mainly of those of chinar leaves, almond paisleys, and motifs from Kashmir. Tilla design can be a blend of multi colors or of one and only. Among these one is mostly a staple and the other is that of bright chrome. The Tilla threads obtained are of varying types – the Angora, Hiran, Murga, and Peacock. Once embroidered, the Tilla gives off a bold, embossed, and multi-dimensional look. Special care is taken to prevent hot iron to come in direct contact with the Tilla, lest its sheen gets damaged by the heat.
A typical Kashmiri Muslim bride is often seen wearing a “Tille Daar Pheran” (Tilla Worked Phiran) on her Nikah ceremony and carrying treasure troves of the craft into her new home.
Because of its undiminishing class and sheen, Tilla embroidered pieces form an integral part of every Kashmiri bride’s trousseau.
This art has been stretched to clutches and footwear as well.
Tilla is a legacy investment that is passed down from generation to generation and the true admirers of this art do not settle for anything less than the finesse achieved by hand.
We at Hands of Gold make sure that you get the finest quality hand worked tilla at the best prices.