Indian Textiles | Snake Charmer Quilts

India in Balmain has a stunning collection of mid century vintage Ralli quilts, known as snake charmer quilts. These sought after textiles have been painstakingly hand stitched by the Saami, a pastoral nomadic community, who are renowned for their exquisite rows of decorative embroidery stitches creating patterns so detailed they often resemble printed designs. The patterns of embroidery are said to resemble those of different snakes. The motifs, often arranged in concentric rectangles, reflect generations of artistic heritage passed down through oral tradition and practice.

The Saami journey each year with their animals from India to Iran, traversing vast desert regions in Pakistan.  More than just decorative textiles, this Saami quilt holds deep cultural significance. They are used in daily life as bedding, ceremonial gifts, and symbols of identity within the community. Each quilt tells a story—not just of the artisan who made it, but of the broader nomadic way of life, where craft, survival, and cultural memory are tightly interwoven.