Out latest Pfeifer Finds are (very chic) pouches made from vintage Indian Saris. They make a great gift and we love that these gorgeous textiles are being reused. Each pouch is unique and completely covered in detailed hand-embroidery.

A sari is a traditional garment worn in India, made of a very long strip of unstitched cloth, up to nine metres in length, which can be draped in various styles. The most common style is for the sari to be wrapped around the waist, with one end then draped over the shoulder baring the midriff. They are often embellished with mirrors or embroidery and may be worn on special occasions.

The patterns and their symbolism are often dictated by the region where the sari is produced. Almost every village has it's own sari tradition,employing a complex language of symbols,which are most always rooted in the natural world. Constant innovation is the hallmark of Sari weavers engaged in the creation of these magnificent textiles, especially in the three great Sari making cities; Varanasi, Chanderi and Kanjivaram.

Varanasi is renowned for its silk and gold brocades. The weavers, who are usually Muslims, are famed for producing brocades so stiff with gold that they cannot be used as garments and are reserved wholly for ritual use. Along with their very intricate patterns, the most interesting aspect of Varanasi brocades is the tremendous variety of silk yarns with which they are woven.

Chanderi is city of weavers. It produces fine shimmering cottons with pale delicate zari borders and motifs of the utmost delicacy. The characteristic feature of the Chanderi sari is the quality of the gold thread that is used. Early craftsmen have even gone to the extent of describing it as the gold thread that shone like a mirror.

Kanjivaram is synonymous with hand woven silk saris and known for its dark, heavy silks, usually with flat stripes of gold decorating the borders. These conservative designs are considered to be more restrained and dignified than the occasionally flamboyant Varanasi sari. A very distinctive feature of these saris, as opposed to those from other parts of India, is the contrasting color of the border and the pallav, as compared to the body of the sari.

Our pouches surely feature vintage Saris from many locales in India and there is not one on the lot that can not be called elegant and one-of-a-kind.

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