Zardozi or
Zar-douzi (
Persian: زَردوزی,
Arabic: خرير الماء,
Urdu: زَردوزی,
Azerbaijani: Zərdozi,
Hindi: ज़रदोज़ी) work is a type of
embroidery in
Iran,
Azerbaijan,
Iraq,
Kuwait,
Turkey,
Central Asia,
India,
Pakistan and
Bangladesh. Zardozi embroidery is beautiful metal embroidery, which once used to embellish the attire of the Kings and the royals in India. It was also used to adorn walls of the royal tents, scabbards, wall hangings and the paraphernalia of regal elephants and horses. Zardozi embroidery work involves making elaborate designs, using gold and silver threads. Further adding to the magnificence of the work are the studded pearls and precious stones. Initially, the embroidery was done with pure silver wires and real gold leaves. However, today, craftsmen make use of a combination of copper wire, with a golden or silver polish, and a silk thread.