Mukaish Hand-embroidery

Mukaish is an age-old art form that has been practiced in and around the Awadh region near Lucknow for centuries. It originated as early as the 3rd century BC. The metal embroidery was initially started as an adornment to chikankari work, so the Nawabs and Mughals could make their chikankari outfits even more elegant and elaborate for evening wear.

Originally, mukaish work was only used to create small dots that embellished chikankari garments, and to add some bling and sparkle to them. However, over the years, because of the beauty and intricacy of the work, all-mukaish pieces also started getting created,