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Jacket

20th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Kutch (made)

This colourful jacket would have been worn on a special occasion by a young boy of the Rabari community in Kutch, the arid peninsular section of Gujarat in western India. The embroidery is typical of Rabari work, with large, geometric elements and small tear-drop and triangular shapes filling the surface of the cloth, worked in a type of chain-stitch. The use of small mirrors is also typical of Rabari work. Rabari men traditionally wear jackets of this kind, but less elaborately decorated, for everyday wear.

Object details

Categories
Embroidery
Children's Clothes
Textiles
Object type
Jacket
Materials and techniques
Cotton embroidered with silk; mirrorwork
Brief description
Boy's jacket, embroidered cotton. Rabari community, Kutch, India, 20th century
Physical description
A boy's jacket of thick white cotton. Gathered skirt without embroidery; the upper part densely embroidered with silk thread and mirrors.
Dimensions
  • Length: 46cm
  • Maximum, with arms outstretched width: 117cm
  • Waist measured inside garment circumference: 76.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Nape waist length: 20cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Nape hem length: 46cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Sleeve length shoulder to cuff length: 44cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Sleeve length underarm to cuff length: 40cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Waist hem length: 24cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Gallery label
(03/10/2015-10/01/2016)
CHILDREN'S GARMENTS

Kutch and the neighbouring area of Sindh (now in Pakistan) form one of the richest areas for embroidery in South Asia. The stitching done by women in this region is for their own and their families’ use, while male embroiderers create pieces for sale. Different groups use different stitches and patterns. These identify the community of the wearer as well as demonstrate the embroiderer’s skill.

Boy’s jacket (kediyun)
Cotton embroidered with silk and mirror-work
Rabari community, Kutch, Gujarat, 1950–70
V&A: IS.7-2008

Child’s dress (angarkha)
Silk embroidered with silk
Jat community, Sindh, Pakistan, about 1900
Given by Lady Ratan Tata
V&A: IM.280-1920

Child’s dress (kurta)
Silk embroidered with floss silk
Memon community, Sindh, Pakistan, about 1900
V&A: 49-1908
(03/10/2015-10/01/2016)
Kutch and the neighbouring area of Sindh (now in Pakistan) form one of the richest areas for embroidery in South Asia. The stitching done by women in this region is for their own and their families’ use, while male embroiderers create pieces for sale. Different groups use different stitches and patterns. These identify the community of the wearer as well as demonstrate the embroiderer’s skill.

Boy’s jacket (kediyun)
Cotton embroidered with silk and mirror-work
Rabari community, Kutch, Gujarat, 1950–70
V&A: IS.7-2008

Child’s dress (angarkha)
Silk embroidered with silk
Jat community, Sindh, Pakistan, about 1900
Given by Lady Ratan Tata
V&A: IM.280-1920

Child’s dress (kurta)
Silk embroidered with floss silk
Memon community, Sindh, Pakistan, about 1900
V&A: 49-1908
Production
Made and worn by the Rabari community of Kutch, Gujarat
Summary
This colourful jacket would have been worn on a special occasion by a young boy of the Rabari community in Kutch, the arid peninsular section of Gujarat in western India. The embroidery is typical of Rabari work, with large, geometric elements and small tear-drop and triangular shapes filling the surface of the cloth, worked in a type of chain-stitch. The use of small mirrors is also typical of Rabari work. Rabari men traditionally wear jackets of this kind, but less elaborately decorated, for everyday wear.
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IS.7-2008

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O438370/jacket-unknown/
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