EXPORT MANAGEMENT AND

DOCUMENTATION
MANISHA PANWAR
B.Sc FASHION DESIGNING
[FINAL YEAR]
1800300860
MIRROR ART
 HISTORY OF MIRROR
WORK
Abhala Bharat or mirror embroidery from Gujarat
The mirror embroidery was originated in the 17th century in India. Traditionally, mirror or abhla bharat work
was done using Mica but Beetle, Tin, Silver or Coins were not uncommon depending on the region. This was
replaced by glass blown into large thin bubbles and broken into small pieces for this use. Traditional shisha
mirrors have a convex curve due to this process. The tradition of making circular mirror was extensively done
by women in South Asia, who use special scissors that are repeatedly dampened to prevent flying shards, and
snip them into smaller circular shapes.
The use of decorative mirror or shisheh  was introduced from Muslim lands during the Mughal
Empire. However mirror embroidery was not used on Mughal clothing but rather found only on traditional
folk clothes of the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. The term mirror means glass in Persian, from where
the word transferred to Urdu/Hindi and other related languages. Contemporary mirror work almost entirely
consists of mass-produced, machine-cut glass mirror with a silvered backing. Today most craft stores in
the South Asia carry small mirrors purchasable for use in embroidery, which come in varying shapes and
sizes.
This form of embroidery work is now most common on the Indian subcontinent, especially in parts
of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh, Manipur, Baluchistan, Punjab region and Sindh This type of embroidery lends a sparkling
appearance to the brightly colored clothes worn in the region, and is very popular for use on clothing,
hangings, tapestries, and domestic textiles.
 MIRROR
MIRROR WORK
WORK
THE
THE FINE
FINE ART
ART OF
OF DECORATING
DECORATING FABRICS
FABRICS WITH
WITH MIRRORS
MIRRORS

The basic purpose of mirror work was decoration on a plain fabric. Traditional belief of the
evil eye being warded off, through the deflection of the evil gaze from the wearer’s body,
was also partly responsible for the popularity of mirror work fabrics in certain regions.
Today even the fabric would be offended if it is not rewarded with multiple gazes.
Known as Shisheh (Persian) or Abhala Bharat embroidery it involves the affixing of small
mirrors or other reflecting metal in different shapes, on clothes or apparel, hangings,
tapestries, and other uses on cloth.
HOW IT IS DONE
Mirrors are fixed to the fabric by placing the mirrors in the desired places and putting
cross stitches over them in a pattern. The patterned stitches not only hold the mirrors in
place but additionally contribute to the beauty of the saree as designs. Stitches that are
made to hold the mirrors in place are generally chain stitch and herringbone stitch, though
sometimes you could see the spot step stitch, satin stitch or the blanket stitch being used.
MIRROR WORK ON
DRESSES
MIRROR WORK ON
JEWELLRY
MIRROR WORK ON
HANDCRAFT VASES
MIRROR WORK ON FOOT
WEAR
MIRROR WORK ON
WALL
MIRROR WORK IN INTERIOR
DESIGN
MIRROR WORK ON CUSHION
MIRROR WORK ON CRAFT
WORK
MIRROR WORK ON BAGS
 HOW THE MUGHALS BROUGHT THE DAZZLING
MIRROR TO INDIA
One of the most gorgeous sights during Navratri in
India, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan is the
sight of thousands of women wearing colourful
chaniya cholis with the mirrors on their lehengas
 flashing and glittering in the light as the women
dance and move around to the beats.
Mirror work or shisha embroidery is such an
ingrained part of Indian design today, that it’s hard
to believe that it was the Mughals who introduced
India to shisha work. This style originated in Iran in
the 17th century and has since then caught on in
several parts of Asia through travellers. In India
however, the use of these decorative
embellishments was inherited from Iran during the
Mughal reign. Surprisingly though, the Mughals did
not wear clothes embellished with mirrors but
rather used this art form in their decor.
 Mirror work pretty soon became a trend among locals, Hindus and Muslims alike. Today, this
style has been fully adopted by the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.
Not only that, there are other tribes across India who also have adopted mirror work as part of
their traditional outfits. The Lambada gypsy tribes of Andhra Pradesh, for example, use mirror
and beads as part of the traditional Banjara embroidery.
• Each region has a unique way of including mirrors in their handicrafts. For
instance, the Jats of Banni make use of mirrors of varying sizes and shapes
to embellish their fabric. The Garari Jat community on the other hand,
make use of tiny mirrors embroidered on to the yoke of the dress with
multicoloured threads. The Kathi embroidery of Gujarat makes use of
mirrors by stitching mirrors on to the portion of the eyes on animal faces
or the center of a flower.
• The Rajput queens on the other hand wore large
signature meenakari rings with mirrors embedded in them.
• Originally the mirror work was done using Mica. Later the mica was
replaced with tin or silver, and thin coins. Even beetle wings were
sometimes used. These were then replaced by glass in the early twentieth
century. The glass was blown into large, thin bubbles and broken into
small, round pieces – hence the earlier examples have a slight convex
curve.