A motif used in textiles in the shape of the sun, in forms such as concentric circles or with serrated rays, the sunburst motif carries with it the iconographic associations of the sun with auspiciousness and vitality, along with an emphasis on luminosity. The pattern due to its rarity and distinctive form was also known as the matahari motif.
The medallion had a significant presence on trade textiles, found as early as the thirteenth century in Indonesia. In these textiles produced in Gujarat through block-printing and resist-dyeing, the medallion would be enlarged and centred, surrounded by tiny floral motifs and maroon and indigo borders. Presently, it is a popular feature in textiles such as kanjivarams, ikat, phulkari and kantha, where it is either embroidered or printed. Besides cloth works, the motif is also present in Tibetan khabdans and Kashmiri kaleens.
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Last Updated: July 26, 2023
