Why does a Chikankari table mat cost less than a Chikankari dupatta?
A Chikankari table mat costs less than a dupatta because chikan work is priced by stitch coverage rather than by the size of the object. A mat carries a border and a limited motif; a dupatta can carry an all-over field many times larger. The price gap reflects quantity of work, not a lower grade of it.
How long does Chikankari embroidery take on a piece this size?
Chikankari embroidery on a placemat-sized piece takes a small fraction of the time a garment needs, where the buyer's guide on this site puts a densely worked dupatta at two to four weeks. Exact time depends entirely on how much of the surface is stitched and which stitches are used. No per-piece figure is published for this specific mat.
Is Chikankari at this price real hand work?
Chikankari at this price deserves the question, and the real-versus-fake guide on this site notes that sub-Rs.500 chikankari is often machine-made, with that band written mainly about garments. Small low-coverage pieces such as mats are the honest exception, because the stitch count is a fraction of a dupatta's. The product page describes this piece as handcrafted; ask the seller to confirm it is hand-embroidered if that is decisive for you.
What is this white Chikankari table mat made of?
This white Chikankari table mat is listed as cotton in the product specifications, and it is filed under the HSN code used for cotton table linen. The embroidery thread composition is not stated separately. Care is handwash only.
What size is this table mat?
This table mat is listed at 12 by 17.5 inches, which is a standard full dinner placemat rather than a small centre-table mat. Note that the dimension field on the page separately reads 32X22X6 without a unit, so confirm the figure before ordering to an exact table plan. Handmade pieces vary slightly from any stated measurement.
How many table mats do I need for a dining table?
For table mats you need one per seat plus one or two spares, since a single stained mat is difficult to replace from a later batch. A standard six-seater takes six with about 24 inches between setting centres. Order the whole count together so the embroidery matches across the set.
Which Chikankari stitches appear on a small piece like this?
Chikankari stitches on a small piece are usually the outline and knot family: taipchi for running outlines, and murri or phanda where a raised point is wanted. The dense filling work, jali and hool in particular, generally appears on garments where the field is large enough to justify it. Which stitches are present on any given mat depends on that mat's layout.
Does the embroidery show on both sides of the mat?
The embroidery reads clearly on the front and shows its working on the reverse, which is normal and is the most useful thing about a mat. Hand work leaves an untidy back, with knots starting and finishing at irregular points and threads travelling between motifs. A back that mirrors the front almost exactly points to machine work.
Can a Chikankari table mat be used every day?
A Chikankari table mat handles daily use better than a natural-fibre mat, because cotton can be washed and jute or grass cannot. Turmeric, oil, beetroot and red wine remain the four things a white mat rarely recovers from. Many households keep one set for everyday meals and a second for occasions.
How should a white cotton table mat be washed and stored?
A white cotton table mat should be handwashed separately in cool water, pressed on the reverse while slightly damp so the stitches stay raised, and stored flat rather than folded along the same crease each time. Store it clean and unstarched, since starch left in over a long season attracts insects. Rinse thoroughly, because detergent residue is a common cause of yellowing.
Can these table mats be ordered in bulk for corporate gifting?
These table mats suit bulk and corporate gifting, since a set of four or six presents well and the price sits in the small-gift band. Expect visible variation between pieces in a large order, because each one is embroidered separately. Confirm stock and lead time before committing to a quantity, as artisan production does not scale on demand.
Where can I read more about identifying real Chikankari?
To read more about identifying real Chikankari, see the real-versus-fake chikankari buyer's guide and the complete chikankari guide on this site. Between them they cover the reverse-side test, the six core stitches, what the 2008 Geographical Indication registration does and does not protect, and the price bands to expect. This mat is made in Hardoi district, which sits outside the Lucknow area the GI covers, so it is not sold under that tag.
