Woman's overblouse
Unknown Artist
19th–20th century
Medium
Silk
Dimensions
Height, center back neck to hem: 45.7 cm. Width, across shoulders: 56.1 cm. Width, across blouse hem as gathered: 69.8 cm.
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
Indian
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1936
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Woman's Overblouse* from 19th–20th India showcases the masterful tradition of silk weaving, a craft central to South Asian textile artistry. Crafted from luxurious silk, the garment measures 45.7 cm from neck to hem, with a 56.1 cm shoulder width and gathered hem spanning 69.8 cm—dimensions suggesting a lightweight, draped overblouse designed for layering over traditional attire like a sari or choli. As a woven textile, it exemplifies the intricate loom techniques honed by Indian artisans, where fine silk threads are interlaced to create durable yet fluid fabrics prized for the...