Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

  • Data
  • Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Long tunic (kameez) worn over pants with a veil, as part of a wedding ensemble (3132/2 b-c). Shirt has long narrow sleeves, a slightly scooped neck, and a front opening that fastens with hooks. Garment is made of wild tussar silk in a light orange-brown colour. It is hand embroidered the length of the front opening on both sides, and around the wrists and front of the neck, along with cording of metallic thread. Images include standing birds, elephants with tusks and long tails, and human figures with arms spread, in gold metallic thread, round wooden beads, and tubular glass and metal beads. The back is undecorated; the interior is lined with panels of silk in a course weave.

Cultural Context

weddings; ceremonial

Specific Techniques

The glass and wooden beads sewn on the outfit were hand-crafted. The raw silk fabric was also hand-woven and hand embroidered. India is the second largest producer of tussar silk, which is produced by tribal groups living in the sub-tropical forested regions.

Narrative

This three-piece raw silk wedding ensemble was commissioned in the 1980s by friends of the bride, Ms. C. Aiyar. Ms. Aiyar, Hindu, came from Tamil Nadu in South India, however the style of this garment is more of a northern style (e.g., salwar/chemise rather than sari), likely because she was marrying a groom from North India. The colour is also unusual, as most Hindu brides prefer to marry in bright red saris. The natural (un-dyed) colour of this material is said to be associated with renunciation and contemplation. It was chosen because the bride had lived with her parents in an ashram until she was 16 years old, when she married.

Item History

With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account

With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account

Similar Items