Shisha ('glass') or mirror work, is common in the northern desert states of India. It may have evolved from naturally occurring mica but from the 19th century onwards, specially made pieces of mirrored glass were used. Mirrored glass was blown by hand and then cut into different shapes, although nowadays a more uniform and thicker factory-made glass is often used. A variety of stitches is used to attach the mirror pieces to the fabric. The border design is done in the chain stitch characteristic of Kutch embroidery. Kutch is a particularly rich area for embroidery; this piece would have been made by a professional embroiderer for the Bansali community. Cream silk satin skirt embroidered in chain stitch with red and blue rosettes in silk thread and mirror work, and border design of flowers, leaves and birds. Woman's skirt. Kutch, Gujarat, ca. 1880.