Poll Cover from India with Ear Holes

This poll cover is made by the Sind. It is in excellent condition with very little damage even to the edging which is delicate, some bits are missing.

The colours are vibrant and the pom poms a lovely decorative touch. These pieces are getting harder to find today. This may well have had a saddle blanket in the same style and would have been made for a wedding. The mirror work is undeniably fine. One tie is missing.

The detail over the nose of the horse is beautiful introducing yellow and green into the mostly maroon, black and cream thread-work. The flower motive is repeated in the lozenge at the bottom and white and maroon leaf patterns decorate the sides. I’m going to call this the floral poll cover as I believe it truly deserves this title.

19” (48.5 cm) from poll to nose, 16” (40.5 cm) across.

Provenance: Purchased from John Gillow, February 2009, by private collector. £100.