Garment thumbnail 1
Not on display

Garment

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

Length of silk, probably eri, with woven cotton red bands at either end.

Object details

Categories
Clothing
Textiles
Parasol Foundation Trust Indian Textiles Cataloguing Project
India Museum
Object type
Garment
Materials and techniques
Silk, cotton woven
Silk (Textile)
Woven
Brief description
Textile, garment, possibly dhoti, silk, Nagaon, ca. 1855.
Physical description
Length of silk, probably eri, with woven cotton red bands at either end.
Dimensions
  • Length: 576cm (approx.)
  • Width: 104cm
Gallery label
(03/10/2015-10/01/2016)
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)
Object history
Transferred from India Museum 1879.
Historical context
Intended for use as a garment, clothing.
Other number
3383 - India Museum Slip Book
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
5520(IS)

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O477788/garment-unknown/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest