Collection: Handwoven Silk Pillows & Cushions — Gyasar, Tanchoi & Ikat

Gyasar is a Tibetan-influenced brocade woven in Varanasi in which gold zari thread builds the motifs directly into the cloth. Tanchoi is a Banarasi silk technique in which botanical patterns are woven into the structure of the cloth rather than printed onto its surface. Ikat, from Pochampally, resist-dyes every thread before weaving begins, giving a soft, feathered geometric pattern. All three are handwoven in India in natural mulberry silk by weavers who train for decades.

Tanchoi is a Banarasi silk-weaving technique from Varanasi with a satin or twill base and a richly patterned supplementary weft. Its defining feature is that the pattern — often dense botanical florals or birds — is woven into the structure of the cloth with no long floating threads on the reverse, so the fabric is smooth on both faces. The technique is said to have been brought to Varanasi via Parsi traders who learned it from Chinese weavers in the 19th century, and it remains one of the most labour-intensive Banarasi weaves.

Ikat is a resist-dyeing technique in which the yarn is dyed before it is woven, not after. The weaver binds sections of the thread so they resist the dye, dyes the yarn, then aligns the pre-dyed threads on the loom so the pattern emerges as the cloth is woven. In double ikat, practised in Pochampally, both the warp and the weft are resist-dyed and must be aligned precisely during weaving — any miscalculation and the pattern blurs, which is why ikat is sometimes called the art of calculated risk. The slight feathered edge to the motifs is the signature of genuine hand ikat.

Gyasar is a heavy, opulent silk brocade woven in Varanasi, traditionally for the Himalayan and Tibetan-Buddhist market. It is characterised by dense, bold floral and geometric motifs and generous use of gold or silver zari thread, which builds the design directly into the cloth. Gyasar is among the richest and most structured of the Varanasi brocades, which is why a Gyasar cushion reads as a statement piece.

The collection includes square cushions and longer lumbar pillows designed to layer together. Each listing specifies dimensions and whether an insert is included, and covers are sized to fit standard inserts. Because every cover is woven by hand, slight variation in size and pattern between pieces is expected and is a mark of genuine handloom work.

A collected, designer look comes from contrast: layer the structured sheen of a Banarasi or Gyasar brocade cushion against matte, organic surfaces such as linen, raw wood, or wool. Mix scales by placing a slim lumbar in front of a large square, and mix weaves by pairing a geometric Ikat with a botanical Tanchoi. The silk's natural lustre shifts with the light through the day, which helps the pieces anchor a room.

Handwoven silk should be spot-cleaned or dry-cleaned to preserve the zari thread and the dye, and kept out of prolonged direct sunlight. Full care instructions are included with every order. Handled with reasonable care, a handwoven silk cushion holds its colour and structure for years. All orders ship free to the US and Canada with duties covered.

Yes. Handwoven silk cushions are among the most-given housewarming and wedding gifts because they are distinctive, useful, and unlikely to be duplicated — a storied heirloom rather than a generic furnishing. Most pillows fall under $250, ship free to the US and Canada with duties covered, and dispatch within 2–5 business days.