Dowry Bag Item Number: 1098/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Small, square, flat, envelope-style dowry bag or purse made by bringing three corners of a square together, using the fourth corner as a triangular flap. Heavily embroidered with square and X-shaped, brightly coloured geometric designs and round mirrors. Loosely twisted fibre cords (red, yellow and green; 52.5 cm in length) with a yellow pompom, are used to fasten the flap shut. The embroidery is underlined with red printed cotton textile.
History Of Use
Used to carry valuable items at wedding festivities.
Specific Techniques
Techniques of stitching: satin stitch; buttonhole stitch; stem stitch; couched stitch; fly stitch. This style of embroidery is called “kharek.”
Narrative
This dowry bag was purchased by William McLennan at Threadlines Gallery in Islamabad, Pakistan, in 1985 while he was on assignment for the Museum of Anthropology, which had a contract with the administration of Expo ‘86 to set up the Pakistan pavilion at the fair. The Museum purchased it, along with the other items in the 1098 accession, from McLennan in 1986.
Item History
- Made in Sindh, Pakistan before September 1985
- Collected by Bill McLennan during 1985
- Owned by Bill McLennan between September 1985 and January 30, 1986
- Received from Bill McLennan (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on January 30, 1986
What
- Name
- Dowry Bag
- Identification Number
- 1098/2
- Type of Item
- bag
- Material
- cotton fibre, silk fibre, glass, silver alloy metal and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- cut, sewn, embroidered and appliqued
- Overall
- height 27.4 cm, width 18.7 cm
Who
- Culture
- South Asian
- Field Collector
- Bill McLennan
- Previous Owner
- Bill McLennan
- Received from
- Bill McLennan (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Sindh, Pakistan
When
- Creation Date
- before September 1985
- Collection Date
- during 1985
- Ownership Date
- between September 1985 and January 30, 1986
- Acquisition Date
- on January 30, 1986
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1098/0002