Vest Item Number: 1200/9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Small black wool vest with silver embroidery. The vest has a centre front opening with lower edges that curve upwards. There are dense swirling patterns made of silver metallic braid and thread that has been couched onto the surface of the ground fabric. Blue and green glass beads are incorporated into some of the patterns. All edges are bordered with flat silver braid. The centre opening and bottom edge have small spherical ornaments, made of wood or fibre and been wrapped with silver thread. The inner lining is black silky fabric.

History Of Use

Worn on ceremonial occasions with other special clothing.

Cultural Context

ceremonial

Specific Techniques

Ornamental embroidery (zardosi) that utilizes an abundance of densely patterned metallic threads, braids and ornaments is an urban tradition that derives from court dress. The designs evoke those that are found in Rajput and Mughal dress. The embroidery is worked by stretching the fabric onto a frame (karchob) and filling in previously stitched outlines with wire and braid that has been precut to size.

Item History

What

Name
Vest
Identification Number
1200/9
Type of Item
vest
Material
wool fibre, cotton fibre, silk fibre ?, silver metal, glass, wood ? and dye
Manufacturing Technique
cut, sewn, embroidered and beaded
Overall
height 38.0 cm, width 40.0 cm

Who

Culture
South Asian
Previous Owner
Aileen P. Walker and Charles Walker
Received from
Aileen P. Walker (Donor) and Charles Walker (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Sindh, Pakistan ?

When

Creation Date
before March 2, 1987
Ownership Date
before March 2, 1987
Acquisition Date
on March 2, 1987

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
1200/0009