Not currently on display at the V&A

Waistcloth

ca. 1855 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Assam (made)

Length of raw, muga silk with reddish bands at each end. Complete piece, folded and tied as originally acquired.


Object details

Categories
Clothing
Textiles
Parasol Foundation Trust Indian Textiles Cataloguing Project
India Museum
Object type
Waistcloth
Materials and techniques
Silk, woven
Muga Silk
Woven
Brief description
Textile, waistcloth, muga silk, Gauhati, Assam, ca. 1855.
Physical description
Length of raw, muga silk with reddish bands at each end. Complete piece, folded and tied as originally acquired.
Dimensions
  • Length: 14.5cm
  • Width: 21.5cm
  • Depth: 23mm
folded
Marks and inscriptions
'No 101 Gowhatty/a waistcloth made of moongah silk with red borders/Moogar Runga Paridias [?unclear] Soroo Shooria/Price Rs 1/4/ Rajah Luleetsingh/Contributor.' (handwritten rectangular label, sewn on to top of folded object)
Gallery label
  • ERI AND MUGA SILK Different species of silkworm produce different silks. Eri silk cannot be reeled so the fibres are spun like wool, giving the cloth a soft rather than silky surface. Eri is traditionally less prized than smoother silks. Muga silk filaments are reeled from the cocoon, and the result is smooth and shiny. This folded dhoti (waist-cloth) is still sewn up as it was when sent to the Paris Exhibition of 1855. It has not been opened since leaving India. Eri silk length Cachar, Assam, about 1855 V&A: 5513 (IS) Muga silk dhoti With weft-faced cotton bands Nagaon, Assam, about 1855 V&A: 5520 (IS) Muga silk dhoti With weft-faced cotton bands Gauhati, Assam, about 1855 V&A: 5524 (IS)(03/10/2015-10/01/2016)
Object history
Transferred from India Museum 1879.
Historical context
Intended for use as garment, clothing.
Other number
3374 - India Museum Slip Book
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
5524(IS)

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O453594/waistcloth-unknown/
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