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Turban Cloth

c.1855 (made)
Place of origin

This complete cotton turban cloth is decorated in the wrap-resist dyed technique known as lahariya. The turban is an unusual example of south Indian lahariya dyeing. It is accompanied by its original label, bearing the date 1849, although the cloth itself was not acquired until 1855.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cotton, woven
Brief description
Lahariya turban cloth, wrap-resist-dyed muslin in purple with white stripes, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, c.1855
Physical description
Cotton, wrap-resist dyed (lahariya) complete turban
Dimensions
  • Approx. length: 1600cm
  • Width: 20cm
Marks and inscriptions
MADRAS TARIFF / Eng. Name. Turband / Syn. / Tamil. Pungay / Produce or Manufacture. Madras / Price per 1 Rupee & 9 annas / Where procurable. Bazaar / Use. / Remarks. / 10 yds / 1849 (Paris Universal Exhibition of 1855 original label )
Object history
Transferred from the India Museum 1879. India Museum Slip book entry 3043: 'Turband piece / Madras / 55 Muslin Printed'. Swatches from the original textile appear in John Forbes Watson's The Textile Manufactures of India, vol.I, no.34.
Summary
This complete cotton turban cloth is decorated in the wrap-resist dyed technique known as lahariya. The turban is an unusual example of south Indian lahariya dyeing. It is accompanied by its original label, bearing the date 1849, although the cloth itself was not acquired until 1855.
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • Tie-dyed textiles of India : tradition and trade / Veronica Murphy and Rosemary Crill. London: Victoria and Albert Museum :in association with Mapin Publishing, 1991 Number: 0944142303 p. 117 pl. 129 and fig.48
  • Watson, J. Forbes, and Great Britain. India Office. The Textile Manufactures of India. India Office, 1866. 'No.34 / INDIAN FABRICS. / TURBAN / Cotton: Favourite Style of Pattern / Length: 16 1/2 yards ; Width: 10 inches ; Weight: 15 1/2 oz. ; Price: 3s 1 1/2d / From MADRAS / Prov.No.116'
Other number
3043 - India Museum Slip Book
Collection
Accession number
5732(IS)

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Record createdFebruary 17, 2003
Record URL
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