Dowry Bag Item Number: 1330/8 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Small, flat, square, embroidered envelope-style bag, detailed with mirrors and pompoms, made by folding and stitching together three corners of a flat, square panel to form a pocket, with the fourth corner left open to serve as a flap or cover. The square-shaped embroidered motifs, formed from bars of satin stitch outlined in black, are grouped together into larger squares that are arranged in a grid, separated with narrow bands of alternating mirror-work and floral designs that form an X on the back of the bag. The square is bordered with mirror-work, alternating with floral designs. The embroidery is so dense that it completely covers the background textile. There are glass beads sewn onto the seams, which are worked in fine interlacing stitch. Small pompoms and glass beads are stitched to the lower corners. At the intersection of the three corners is a small white button, embellished with small coloured glass beads. The embroidery is underlined with red cotton textile that is printed with multicoloured designs.
History Of Use
Used to carry dowry items to a wedding or given as a gift as part of a dowry.
Specific Techniques
square chain stitch; laid work, couched; satin stitch; buttonhole stitch
Narrative
Purchased by Milton and Beverly Israel while traveling in India.
Item History
- Made in Gujarat, India ? or Rajasthan, India ? before 1988
- Collected during 1988
- Owned by Milton Israel and Beverly Israel before October 27, 1988
- Received from Milton Israel (Donor) and Beverly Israel (Donor) on October 27, 1988
What
- Name
- Dowry Bag
- Identification Number
- 1330/8
- Type of Item
- bag
- Material
- cotton fibre, silk fibre, glass, silver alloy metal ? and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- embroidered, sewn and beaded
- Overall
- height 33.6 cm, width 23.3 cm, depth 2.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Indian: Northern Indian and Indian: Central Indian
- Previous Owner
- Milton Israel and Beverly Israel
- Received from
- Milton Israel (Donor) and Beverly Israel (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Gujarat, India ? or Rajasthan, India ?
When
- Creation Date
- before 1988
- Collection Date
- during 1988
- Ownership Date
- before October 27, 1988
- Acquisition Date
- on October 27, 1988
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1330/0008