Zari embroidery: gold that bends

Real zari thread is wrapped in pure silver before gilding. We trace the supply chain from Delhi to the embroidery tables of Lucknow, where artisans work under natural north-light windows.

The Chikankari and Zardozi traditions are kept alive by small family workshops. When you buy embroidered silk from Jha Ji Fabrics, a portion supports a loom-school scholarship in Varanasi.