Blouse

before 1880 (made)
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Place Of Origin

Sleeveless long blouse made by sewing together two lengths of indigo coloured cloth, to form a central seam and then folding the fabric in half (the fold forming the shoulders). Holes are left in the upper corners for the arms and another opening left in the centre seam for the neck.
The lower half of the garment is covered with bands of seeds of coix lacryma (Job's Tears) and brown cloth. Neckline and armholes are highlighted with brown cloth and Job's Tears.


object details
Object Type
Materials and Techniques
cotton, dye, thread, Job's Tears, weaving, embroidery, dyeing
Brief Description
A long blouse of a woman of the Sgaw a sub-tribe of the Karen. Indigo blue, plain weave, heavily decorated with bands of Job's Tears and brown cloth. c. before 1880.
Physical Description
Sleeveless long blouse made by sewing together two lengths of indigo coloured cloth, to form a central seam and then folding the fabric in half (the fold forming the shoulders). Holes are left in the upper corners for the arms and another opening left in the centre seam for the neck.

The lower half of the garment is covered with bands of seeds of coix lacryma (Job's Tears) and brown cloth. Neckline and armholes are highlighted with brown cloth and Job's Tears.
Dimensions
  • Shoulder to hem length: 80cm
  • Width: 69cm
Object history
This blouse would have been made and worn by a woman of the Sgaw a sub-tribe of the Karen who live mainly in the south east of Burma.

For further examples see 6550 (IS); 05436 (IS); IS.25-1882 and Pitt Rivers ACC;1957.1.23: BOOKNO: XVI 157
Collection
Accession Number
IND.LOST.472:1

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record createdJanuary 27, 2004
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