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.
Physical description
A boy's jacket of thick white cotton. Gathered skirt without embroidery; the upper part densely embroidered with silk thread and mirrors.
Place of Origin
Kutch (made)
Date
20th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown
Materials and Techniques
Cotton embroidered with silk; mirrorwork
Dimensions
Length: 46 cm, Width: 117 cm maximum, with arms outstretched
Descriptive line
Boy's jacket, embroidered cotton. Rabari community, Kutch, India, 20th century
Labels and date
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 [03/10/2015-10/01/2016]
Production Note
Made and worn by the Rabari community of Kutch, Gujarat
Categories
Embroidery; Children's clothes; Textiles
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
