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Image

Unknown Maker, Turkish

Man's robe (kaftan)

Description

Maker

Unknown Maker, Turkish

Culture

Turkish

Title

Man's robe (kaftan)

Year

1700s

Medium

  • silk,
  • metallic yarn,
  • linen; velvet,
  • appliqué,
  • embroidered

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • Silk,
  • metallic yarn,
  • linen; velvet,
  • applique,
  • embroidered

Materials

silk, linen

Geography

Place Made: Ottoman Empire

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. John W. Mackay

Object Number

58.009.9

Type

  • Costume

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

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

Label copy

The form of the kaftan, a sleeved, full-length robe with buttoned-front opening, traveled to Turkey by way of Persia. The open coat derives from Central Asian prototypes developed as functional cavalry garments that could be donned or removed easily while on horseback. This style has dominated men’s silhouettes throughout the Islamic world, showing subtle differences in shape and diverse textile treatments.

During the Ottoman period (1299-1923), the kaftan, the most visible male garment, served alone and in layers as the perfect medium for display of the empire’s textile riches and technical expertise. The liquid silk velvet here conveys power and wealth in its technical sophistication and its regal red color. Because the basic kaftan shape was worn by men at all levels of society, in addition to the quality of fabric, the width of the sleeve and length of the garment determined status, with non-Muslims restricted to wearing narrow, short sleeves.

Cloth of Kings
Jan 25, 1985 – Feb 24, 1985

Use & Feedback

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Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Turkish
Man's robe (kaftan), 1700s
Silk, metallic yarn, linen; velvet, appliqué, embroidered
Gift of Mrs. John W. Mackay 58.009.9

To request new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.

Feedback

We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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