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c. 1855 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Ghaghra (skirt) and choli (bodice) or red muslin decorated with applied silver and gold gota (tinsel ribbon). The plain red field of the skirt is embellished with thin strips of silver gota running from the waistband to the hem, and two thin rows of gota running along the bottom edge. The waistband and hem are lined with green cotton, and the ezarband (drawstring) is made of purple silk sprang with gold-wrapped tassels at each end. The choli is decorated with a stylised floral design in applied silver and gold gota and green cotton on the front and top of shoulders, with deep decorative bands at the sleeves. Its closures are made of green muslin ties tipped with silver gota at the ends.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Bodice
  • Skirt
  • Ghaghra
Materials and techniques
Woven muslin, applied silver and gold ribbon
Brief description
Ghaghra (skirt) and choli (bodice), red muslin, silver and gold gota (tinsel ribbon) embellishment, Bharatpur, ca. 1855
Physical description
Ghaghra (skirt) and choli (bodice) or red muslin decorated with applied silver and gold gota (tinsel ribbon). The plain red field of the skirt is embellished with thin strips of silver gota running from the waistband to the hem, and two thin rows of gota running along the bottom edge. The waistband and hem are lined with green cotton, and the ezarband (drawstring) is made of purple silk sprang with gold-wrapped tassels at each end. The choli is decorated with a stylised floral design in applied silver and gold gota and green cotton on the front and top of shoulders, with deep decorative bands at the sleeves. Its closures are made of green muslin ties tipped with silver gota at the ends.
Dimensions
  • Choli length: 62cm
  • Choli width: 8cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'INDIA - BENGAL / No. 8813 / Division 1 / Group 7 / Class 25 / Name of article / Gown / Where produced / Burtpore / Use' 'INDE - BENGALE / No. / Division / Groupe / Class / Nom de l'article / Ou produit / Usage / 227' (Original Paris Exhibition of 1855 label on skirt)
  • 'INDIA - BENGAL / No. 8811 / Division 1 / Group 7 / Class 25 / Name of article / Boddice / Where produced / Burtpore / Use' 'INDE - BENGALE / No. / Division / Groupe / Class / Nom de l'article / Ou produit / Usage' (Original Paris Exhibition of 1855 label on skirt)
Object history
Transferred from India Museum 1879. 1880 Register Entry: 'SKIRT AND BODICE. Crimson muslin, with silver binding; Birtpore. 3754'. Slip book entry 3754: 'Clothing Skirt & bodice / Burtpore / 55 / Crimson Muslin Trimed with Silver / Holliday dress'
Historical context
Intended for use as a garment, clothing.
Subject depicted
Other number
3754 - India Museum Slip Book
Collection
Accession number
05565A&B/(IS)

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
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