Head covering

NameHead cover

CultureUzbek

Date20th century

Place madeUzbekistan, Central Asia, Asia

MediumCotton, silk, metallic ribbon and thread

Dimensions70 3/8 × 110 1/4 × 1/8 in. (178.8 × 280 × 0.3 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Anne Marie Weiss-Armush, A.2018.5.16

Object numberA.2018.5.16

ProvenanceThe donor married a Syrian man and moved to Saudi Arabia in 1976, where she lived for 11 years. During her stay she amassed a large collection of Middle Eastern garments.

DescriptionThis black cotton chador has a red cotton strip along the front openings. The hem area, which is lined in a red floral patterned cotton, is edged with gold metallic ribbons, orange ribbon, and hot pink rick rack. Above, a gold braid is stitched to form stylized plants. At the seam area, uniting two widths of black fabric, are embroidered groupings in white, purple, and yellow gold buttonhole stitches. The back is heavily embellished with five rows of embroidered floral designs in self-couching (basma) stitches outlined in silk chain stitch. Interspersed are ram's horns and solar disc designs. Separating the rows are triangular rows reminiscent of tent flap designs. A row of white hand-crocheted trim (oya) follows.