Chikankari: A Lucknawi Tradition, Paola Manfredi

Chikankari: A Lucknawi Tradition celebrates one of India’s most refined embroidery traditions, tracing the history of this exquisite whitework from the elegant courts of eighteenth-century Lucknow to the skilled artisans who continue the craft today. Richly illustrated with pieces from public and private collections, the book explores the cultural significance, technical mastery, and enduring beauty of Chikankari, revealing an embroidery tradition where delicate stitching, impeccable tailoring, and graceful design come together in perfect harmony.

Through detailed chapters on its origins, motifs, garments, production methods, and remarkable repertoire of stitches, the volume offers both a visual feast and an invaluable reference for textile enthusiasts. Combining historical research with close attention to craftsmanship, it illuminates why Chikankari remains one of the most sophisticated and enduring forms of embroidery in South Asia.

About the Author

Paola Manfredi is an ethnologist, textile scholar, and curator who has lived and worked in India for more than three decades. Specialising in South Asian textile traditions, she has collaborated with artisan communities and international organisations to document, preserve, and promote crafts such as Chikankari, Aari embroidery, and Nakshi Kantha, combining rigorous research with a deep appreciation for the people and cultures behind these remarkable traditions.

Publication date: 5 July 2017
Publisher: Niyogi Books
Pages: 252
ISBN: 9789385285530
Size: 22.33 × 1.98 × 31.34 cm