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Unknown Maker, Saudi Arabian

Man's cloak (bisht)

Maker

Unknown Maker, Saudi Arabian

Culture

Saudi Arabian

Title

Man's cloak (bisht)

Year

1949

Medium

  • camel hair,
  • metallic yarn; plain weave,
  • embroidered,
  • braid trim

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • Camel hair,
  • metallic yarn; plain weave,
  • embroidered,
  • braid trim

Geography

Place Made: Arabian Peninsula

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of the Estate of Theodore Francis Green

Object Number

69.138C

Type

  • Costume

Exhibition History

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

Label copy

Worn over the thob and sarwal, the bisht, a flat, rectangular, heavy cloak of finely woven camel hair (most often in brown or black), provides ample coverage and warmth at night. Its broad canvas requires much time and energy to make; gathering enough camel hair alone can take months. Men typically wear the bisht over the shoulders, putting their hands and arms through small slits when necessary. The gold braid trim, once reserved for religious and political leaders, adds formality to this traditional and functional garment, as does its length, making this particular bisht an item only a wealthy man could afford.

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The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use.

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Saudi Arabian
Man's cloak (bisht), 1949
Camel hair, metallic yarn; plain weave, embroidered, braid trim
Gift of the Estate of Theodore Francis Green 69.138C

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