Textile, talismanic shirt, inscribed and painted cotton, probably India, ca. 15th-16th century

Talismanic shirt, cotton, inscribed with verses from the Quran in ink and gold paint. Decorative calligraphic medallions on the chest and shoulders. The shirt is made up of three main panels, with two additional panels for the sleeves, and is open down the front, with a round neckline.

Given by Col. F.G.G. Bailey

The shirt was bought by Lieut.Col. F.G.G. Bailey from the Persian Carpet Emporium, whose letterhead announced branches in 'Simla (Cecil Hotel), Peshawar City, and Delhi Kashmere Gate'. In a letter of April 4, 1935, Mohamed Tahir, Director of the Emporium, informed the Lt. Col. that the man who had sold it to him informed him that 'The Kurta belonged to a very very old Royal Mohammadan Family who once ruled India and since time immemorial it is coming from father to son. During Mutiny in India in 1857 it came by chance into the hands of a rich Mohammadan, whose wife is still living, and possesses several old things and curious (which we might call them now). This Mohammadan also belonged to a Royal Family though not the same family who owned this Kurta, and since then it is with his wife who is in Bombay and from whome this is bought'. [V&A ARchivews: Nominal File. Bailey, Lt. Col. F.G.G. MA/1/896.

Intended for use as a garment, clothing.

T.59-1935