This elaborately embroidered dress is a compendium of the different stitches used by Baluchi women. These range from a minutely worked interlacing stitch to the relatively large-scale herringbone stitch used on the green and yellow stripes that frame the embroidered areas and conceal the seams running down the front of the garment. The variety of coloured silks used for the embroidery is also exceptional, and the line drawings reveal the whole garment to be a surprisingly complex patchwork of panels.
Physical description
Tunic of embroidered silk with silk thread, woven gold-thread ribbon, braid and silk tassel. The edges of the sleeves and the neck opening of this woman's tunic are strengthened with a braid of silk and gold thread or tightly packed blanket stitches (toi) followed by a series of finely worked narrow and wide borders.
Full length and long sleeved. The front yoke, sleeve ends and the deep 'apron' pocket are embroidered in darn stitch, interlaced stitch, chain stitch, and herringbone stitch with rows of geometrical designs such as diamonds, triangles and chevrons. A row of stylised rosettes run down each sleeve. The neck opening is faced with a band of yellow cotton embroidered with laid gold thread.
Place of Origin
Kalat, Pakistan (probably, made)
Date
late 19th century-early 20th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Embroidered silk with silk thread, woven gold-thread ribbon, braid and silk tassel
Dimensions
Length: 131 cm, Width: 50 cm, Width: 168 cm across sleeves, Length: 50.75 in, Width: 66 in
Descriptive line
Tunic of embroidered silk with silk thread, probably made in Kalat, Pakistan, late 19th century-early 20th century
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Crill, Rosemary and Askari Nasreen. 'Colours of the Indus: Costume and Textiles of Pakistan'. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1998. 68p.,ill.110. Catalogue of the exhibition held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, 9 October 1997 - 29 March 1998. ISBN 1858940443.
Materials
Silk (textile); Gold thread
Techniques
Embroidering
Categories
Textiles; Embroidery; Women's clothes
Collection code
SSEA
