Backless Blouse Item Number: 1098/9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Woman’s or child’s backless blouse made from a large embroidered panel which forms the entire front of the blouse. There is a vertical neck opening at the centre front, bound with pale grey-green cotton textile; the blouse fastens at the centre back neckline with ties made of cotton textile (one made of printed textile and one plain). Square front shoulder yokes are decorated with mirror and pompoms; diamond-shaped geometric forms are worked in purple, off-white and red silk thread. The same designs also appear below the yoke, forming a cross shape, bordered with a black braid made from thick bundles of thread which have been couched onto the surface. The bottom portion of the blouse is embellished with scattered, multi-coloured, embroidered geometric forms and mirrorwork. The hem and sides are bordered with plain green and plain red cotton textile. The sleeves are bordered with red and gold rayon or silk brocade and plain green cotton textile. On the back, separate, small shoulder yokes made from panels of red cotton broadcloth are sewn at the shoulders and at the underarms, forming close-fitting, abbreviated sleeves. The embroidery is underlined with grey cotton gauze.
History Of Use
Backless blouses are worn with a long, gathered skirt or baggy pants as part of the everyday or festive costume. A veil is worn over the head and shoulders, covering the back.
Specific Techniques
satin stitch; couching stitch; buttonhole stitch; fly stitch
Narrative
This blouse 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
- Backless Blouse
- Identification Number
- 1098/9
- Type of Item
- blouse
- Material
- cotton fibre, silk fibre, glass, silver alloy metal and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- embroidered and sewn
- Overall
- height 74.6 cm, width 42.7 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
- 1098/0009