A silent window into the artistry and landscape of 1950s India

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Experience a rare, silent color film from the Penn Museum's Watson Kintner Collection. This footage captures the intricate craftsmanship of gold embroidery and the serene atmosphere of India in the late 1950s.

Filmed on September 16, 1955, in Agra, the footage provides a detailed look at Zardari, or gold work, embroidery. It captures the specific work area where these intricate designs are created, offering a glimpse into traditional Indian craftsmanship.

The film also documents broader cultural and natural scenes, including a small model of the Taj Mahal, women at a Hanuman temple, and turtles along the banks of the Ganges or Yamuna rivers.

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