Robe
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Cotton, metal wrapped thread; embroidered
Dimensions
L. 46 in. (116.8 cm)
Classification
Main dress-Womenswear
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Chester Dale, 1953
Accession Number
C.I.53.74.6
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 19th-century embroidered robe, a gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Chester Dale in 1953, exemplifies the refined artistry of Islamic textiles. Crafted from cotton with intricate embroidery using metal-wrapped threads, the garment measures 46 inches in length, designed as womenswear for everyday or ceremonial use. The shimmering metal threads—often a hallmark of luxury in Islamic dress—catch the light, transforming the robe into a wearable work of art that blended functionality with opulence. In the Islamic world of the 19th century, such robes held deep cultural signi...