Tilla
Metal-thread embroidery of Kashmir, in gold or silver coloured thread on shawls and cloth.
Also: tilla work, tilla embroidery
Tilla is a Persian word for gold. Tilla work is Kashmiri embroidery in metallic thread, usually worked with a needle or a hooked aari needle, in floral and paisley designs on wool, silk and velvet. It is used for the borders of shawls and for sarees and phirans. Like zardozi, it takes its look from the shine of metal, but it is lighter and the stitches lie flat to the cloth. Today the thread is mostly metallic polyester, since real gold and silver are costly. Sarees with tilla borders are worn for weddings and parties in north India.