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Unknown Maker, Indian

Chogha (man's robe)

Maker

Unknown Maker, Indian

Culture

Indian

Title

Chogha (man's robe)

Year

1800s

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

silk

Geography

Place Made: Varanasi

Dimensions

121.9 cm (48 inches) center-back length

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Bequest of Miss Lucy T. Aldrich

Object Number

55.260

Type

Exhibition History

Sartorial Sanctuary
Clothing and Traditions in the Eastern Islamic World
Dec 19, 2008 – Apr 26, 2009

Label copy

Most of the garment forms in this gallery follow a general Islamic style but defer in detail to local practices and aesthetics. A comparison of the shimmering Moroccan kaftan and Indian chogha in this case, on the other hand, shows remarkable continuity in form, technique, imagery, and color. Exemplified by these two garments, a well-defined trade network-united by mutual faith and aligned with centers of luxurious textile production created by Silk Road traffic-enabled an unbroken stream of influence from North Africa to India. The meandering floral vegetation, opulent gold and silk brocade, and dazzling white-and-gold color combination strike a common chord at two of the farthest reaches of the Muslim world.

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Indian
Chogha (man's robe), 1800s
Silk, metallic yarn; compound weave, supplementary weft patterning
121.9 cm (48 inches) center-back length
Bequest of Miss Lucy T. Aldrich 55.260

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