Telia rumal, set of 4 pieces of cotton cloth, natural dyes, traditional weft and double ikat, Chirala/ Andhra Pradesh/ India, ca. 1900 This set is a set of four pieces cut out from worn telia dupatta made of very fine Indian handwoven cotton combined into a study collection of various patterns and colour combinations meant for designers and textile specialists. The telia rumal of Andhra Pradesh belong to the larger tradition of handkerchiefs of various seizes and designs in South India during the 18th &19th century. The specific characteristics of the telia rumal are the confinement to two dyestuffs (indigo and morinda citrifolia), the typical layout and originally the smell, that is due to the unique practice of using castor oil as finish in the dyeing process. These pieces come from a collection in Hyderabad/India where the telia dupatta has taken on a very refined look in the 19th century as fashionable garment at the court of the Nizam. The pieces are nicely restored and well preserved, some parts have a lining. Measurements from left to right: ca. 96 x 62 cm (weft ikat), ca. 86 x 56 cm (weft ikat) , ca. 100 x 72 cm (double ikat), ca. 76 x 56 cm (double ikat with silver thread embroidery)