Enjoy these lovely, colorful applique embroidered lampshades handmade in India. Among the traditional textiles of India, the art of applique work occupies a distinguished place. Applique, which is a French term, is a technique by which the decorative effect is obtained by superposing patches of colored fabrics on a basic fabric, the edges of the patches being sewn in some form of stitching. The base cloth is usually colored. Some of the specially prepared motifs have exclusive embroidery work and some have mirror work. It is Orissa and especially in Pipli that the craft has a living and active tradition continuing over centuries. As with many other handicrafts of Orissa, the roots of the applique craft form is interwined with the traditions of Lord Jagannath, the deity of the Puri temple. The applique items are mainly used during processions of the deities in their various ritual outings. The stitching process varies from item to item and come under six broad categories. Sometimes embroidered patterns are also used and in a few items mirror work is incorporated. The layout of various motifs and patterns vary according to the shape of the piece. Of the more common motifs are the elephant, parrot, peacock, ducks, creepers, trees, flowers like lotus, jasmine, half moon, the Sun and Rahu.
