Rumāl

Embroidered Rumāl, Hanging or Tablecloth. 1840-1880. India. Wool ground, silk embroidery threads. In the collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Rumāls are similar to handkerchiefs or bandannas. They are worn by Sikh men who cut their hair and do not wear a turban. Outside of Sikhism, they are commonly understood to be  bandannas or handkerchiefs and are worn as such, and no connection to Sikhism is implied. This one at the Baltimore Museum of Art was believed to have been used as a tablecloth or as more of a decorative hanging piece.