Blouse

Art Historical Context

Step into the opulent world of 17-century India with this delicate silk blouse, a rare surviving example of women's everyday finery. Crafted from luxurious silk—a fabric prized for its sheen, durability, and status as a trade staple—this garment measures 21¼ × 24½ inches, fitting the form of a choli, the short, fitted blouse traditionally paired with a sari. Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art department highlights sophistication of Indian textile traditions during the Mughal era, when silk weaving flourished through royal workshops and regional artisans. Silk's signifi...