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Burqa

1800-1880 (made)

Burqa, white cotton with silk whitework embroidery, Afghanistan, 1800-1880


Object details

Object type
Brief description
Burqa, white cotton with silk whitework embroidery, Afghanistan, 1800-1880
Gallery label
Burqa with Footed Trousers Afghanistan About 1850 In 19th-century Iran and Afghanistan, Muslim women were usually fully veiled when they went out in public. They wore an outer layer over their indoor clothing and covered their faces. In Iran, this was often a sheet of dark blue or black textile (chador) worn with a white face-veil (ru-band) attached separately. This white cotton burqa from Afghanistan however, combines both elements. It has embroidered openwork over the eyes. Women would have worn the burqa with matching loose-footed trousers (chaqchur), with their skirts tucked inside. This outfit was worn with heeled slippers or boots. White cotton with silk embroidery and green baize Museum nos. IS.9 to C-1954 Jameel Gallery(31/08/2012)
Credit line
Presented by Mrs Maidstone Smyth, 49, Linden Gardens
Collection
Accession number
IS.23:1-1889

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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