−20%৳2,240Was৳2,800
Nakshi Ghar, Jashore
Craft Atlas
Nakshi Kantha
Nakshi Kantha is a hand-embroidered quilt from Bangladesh, made by layering old or new cotton cloth and stitching it together with fine running stitches that form flowers, animals, boats and village scenes. It is made across the country, with strong traditions in Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Jashore, Faridpur, Bogura and Chattogram.
Where it's made
Pieces
5 pieces
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−20%
৳950
Makers
About Nakshi Kantha
Where it comes from
A kantha is a light quilt made by stitching several layers of cloth together. The word nakshi comes from naksha, meaning pattern or design, so a nakshi kantha is a patterned quilt. The craft belongs to the wider Bengal region and is centuries old: the late 16th-century Bengali text Chaitanya Charitamrita already mentions it. The poet Jasimuddin's verse narrative Nakshi Kanthar Math later made the name familiar to readers everywhere.
For generations, rural women stitched kanthas at home from worn saris, lungis and dhotis, and the thread itself often came from old garments. Kanthas served as light quilts and wraps, while smaller pieces became covers and prayer mats. Today the same stitching is also used for bedspreads, wall hangings, cushion covers, shawls and saris.
How it's made
- Layering: several layers of soft cotton cloth are laid flat and lined up. Old saris were the traditional choice; many makers now use new cotton.
- Tacking: long, loose stitches hold the layers in place so they do not shift.
- Drawing: the design is marked on the top layer, often a central lotus, corner motifs and a border.
- Stitching: the motifs are worked mainly in running stitch, known as the kantha stitch, with darning or cross stitch used for texture.
- Filling: the ground around the motifs is covered with rows of small running stitches, which give the quilt its soft, gently rippled surface.
Most kanthas centre on a lotus, with a tree of life or a paisley-like kalka pointing in from the corners. The spaces in between hold elephants, horses, peacocks, boats, palanquins, household objects and scenes from daily life or folk tales.
Where it's made in Bangladesh
Kanthas are stitched all over the country, but some districts have long, well-known traditions:
- Jamalpur, whose Nakshikantha is recognised as a Geographical Indication (GI) product of Bangladesh
- Mymensingh and Bogura
- Rajshahi and Faridpur
- Jashore, which gave its name to a regional style known as the Jessore stitch
- Chattogram
How to recognise the real thing
Good to know
How can I tell a hand-stitched Nakshi Kantha from a machine-made one?
Look at the back. Hand stitches vary slightly in length and spacing and show small knots where a new thread was started, while machine stitching is perfectly even.
Why do some kanthas cost much more than others?
The price mostly follows the hours of work. A larger size, denser stitching and more detailed motifs take far longer, and the quality of the cloth and thread matters too.
How long does it take to make one?
It depends on the size and how densely it is stitched. A large quilt with intricate patterns can take around two weeks or longer.
How should I wash a Nakshi Kantha?
Hand wash it gently in cold water with a mild soap, or dry clean fine pieces. Do not wring it, and dry it in the shade.
Sources
- Nakshi kantha
- The Nakshi Kantha heritage of Bengal
- Three products including Jamalpur's Nakshikantha to get GI status
- Geographical indications in Bangladesh
Reviewed by JADUZ curators · updated October 2, 2026
