Dress

NameDress

CultureThaqeef (Banu Thaqif)

Date20th century

Place madeMecca, Taif, Saudia Arabia, Middle East, Asia

MediumCotton, silk, glass and silver beads

Dimensions54 1/8 × 50 3/16 × 5/16 in. (137.4 × 127.4 × 0.8 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Anne Marie Weiss-Armush, A.2018.5.10

Object numberA.2018.5.10

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.

DescriptionA flannel print forms the shoulders and top back of this black cotton dress. The bodice front has a beaded (white and silver) and embroidered bib around the V-neck. Beads and embroidery in herringbone and chain stitches trace the outer sleeves and cuffs (angled). The sides and back of the skirt are decorated with embroidered and appliqued squares. The dress appears to be made of new and old elements.The lining is of different patterns of cotton and silk.