Blouse Item Number: 1014/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Woman’s light purple, silk damask, long-sleeved, loose fitting blouse, with centre front opening and high collar. The collar is cut as one with the centre front panel, and the edge of this panel is the fabric selvage. The damask fabric is patterned with scattered floral motifs. The sleeves are straight, without cuffs, finished with the fabric selvage at the wrist. There are diamond-shaped gussets at the underarms. The bottom edge is unfinished. No fastenings.

History Of Use

This style of outfit is worn as everyday apparel by most females, beginning when they are young children. The collar of the blouse would be folded over the collar of the dress (1014/1). This blouse appears to be unfinished as there is no hem and there are no fastenings.

Narrative

Jean Stilwell, the donor, purchased this set in 1970 or 1971 from a Tibetan woman in Kalimpong, northern India, as part of a total outfit consisting of the dress (1014/1), this blouse, an apron (1014/3) and a simple sash (1014/4). Kalimpong was for many years on the major trade route between India and Tibet and became home to many Tibetan refugees after the Chinese annexation of Tibet. The donor does not know if the set was made in India, or if it was brought to Kalimpong from Tibet.

Item History

What

Name
Blouse
Identification Number
1014/2
Type of Item
blouse
Material
silk fibre and dye
Overall
height 60.0 cm, width 159.0 cm

Who

Culture
Tibetan
Previous Owner
Jean Stilwell
Received from
Jean Stilwell (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Tibet ? or India ?
Collected in
Kalimpong, West Bengal, India

When

Creation Date
before 1971
Collection Date
between 1970 and 1971
Ownership Date
before January 14, 1985
Acquisition Date
on January 14, 1985

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
1014/0002