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Man's surcoat (khalat)

late 1800s
Silk: embroidery, cross-stitch
Overall: 150 x 218.4 cm (59 1/16 x 86 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade 1916.1412
Location: not on view
Public Domain
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Description

Prestigious men’s surcoats embellished with designs such as this dramatic decoration in cross-stitch were among the most elaborate silk-thread embroidered garments in Central Asia. In a flamboyant style, large palmettes framed by split palmette leaves dominate with quartered rosettes and smaller flora on a brilliant yellow ground. Foliate vines enhance the edge along the front center opening, hemline, and cuffs. It is lined with an ikat of cypress trees and finger-looped trim. The style and technique represent professional work from Shahr-i Sabz, south of Samarkand. The pattern was drawn on the cotton ground cloth of the surcoat, then disassembled for stitching, and finally reassembled—revealed by severed and misaligned motifs plus mismatched colors.
Man's surcoat (khalat)

Man's surcoat (khalat)

late 1800s

Uzbekistan, Shahr-i Sabz

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