Silk with metal-wrapped thread, Ahmedabad, ca. 1850 Length of dark purple silk twill-woven with supplementary wefts of silk, silver and silver gilt-wrapped thread. The field features a trellis (jal) pattern of peacock pairs, while the borders are filled with a creeping floral pattern. Figured silks densely woven with metal-wrapped thread, sometimes referred to as 'kamkhwab', were a specialty of Ahmedabad along with other important centres such as Benares. This length was selected for display at the Great Exhibition of 1851. One of the aims of the Exhibition was to educate visitors in the principles of good design. Textiles from India were especially appreciated for not only the quality of their technique but also for the composition of their design. Following the close of the exhibition, the South Kensington Museum purchased a number of Indian textiles for their collection, of which this length was one.