Physical description

Woman's kaftan. The fabric is silk woven with stripes on a cream ground; narrow stripes of gold thread alternate with broader stripes of delicate floral sprays, also in gold thread. In its present state, the skirt is gathered onto the bodice with a restraining braid around the waist. There is evidence of a coarse cotton lining (which has been cut away). There is a slit on either side of the skirt, bound with a metal braid, to provide access to pockets. The bodice is fitted. The sleeves are long and hang loose from the elbow. Both bodice and skirt are further decorated with couched metal braid which has been strengthened on the reverse by stitching through paper. Some of this appears to be an ink-written letter in Greek.

Yellow ribbons may have been added at a later date to provide a fastening down the centre front.

Place of Origin

Attica (made)

Date

1800-1829 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown

Materials and Techniques

Woven silk

Dimensions

Length: 47.5 in, Width: 70.5 in across shoulders (including sleeves)

Object history note

Registered File number 1994/1650.

Descriptive line

Woman's kaftan, woven silk, Attica, Greek, 1800-1829.

Materials

Silk (textile); Gold thread; Braid

Techniques

Woven

Subjects depicted

Floral patterns

Categories

Women's clothes

Collection

Textiles and Fashion Collection