Gold-Thread Embroidered Garment for a Woman
Unknown Artist
late 1800s
Medium
silk, velvet; gold- and silver-thread: bands, cords, couched embroidery
Dimensions
117 × 170.2 cm
Classification
Garment
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Jeannette Cox Morrill
Accession Number
1943.381
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This richly embellished garment was worn by Muslim women in Albania over a fine silk blouse with wide trousers decorated with matching embroidery. The Europeanized Ottoman style signaled social prestige in the late 19th century and differed from regional dress. The gold thread embroidery fashion was influenced by the attire of Ottoman officials and Eastern Orthodox church clergy. This spectacular garment was created with woven bands and twisted cords of gold thread plus stunning gold and silver ...