Balochistan

Balochistan

Identifier
T.251-1923
Acquisition
Given by Kathleen, Lady Alexander
Collection
Technique
Depiction
Dimension
121.92 cm (length)
167.64 cm (width)
Production time
Production place
Type of object

Description

Tunic of embroidered shot silk in silks and silver-gilt braid, Baluchistan, Pakistan, 19th century Tunic of pink shot silk with panels and bands of embroidery in coloured silks. Two green silk gussets are inserted under the arms and it is trimmed round the neck and down the front to the waist with silver-gilt braid. It has long, full sleeves which narrow to the wrist. The panels of embroidery are as follows: a large oblong panel pointed at the top down the middle of the front; another oblong panel on either side of the opening and two smaller panels at the wrists. All these panels are filled with a variety of geometrical devices. Rosettes and other objects are embroidered in coloured silks along the upper end of the sleeves. There is an embroidered band of narrow green and yellow horizontal stripes in alternation, edged with green, down either side of the middle panel. A similar band forms a border to the base of the tunic. A large oblong panel of red cotton has been let into the back to protect it from the hair hanging down. The gilt braid is Czech-Slovak work imported and made in imitation of the old handmade gold braid.