Woman's Sari
Late 19th century
Medium
Silk and gilt-metal-wrapped thread, plain weave with supplementary pattern wefts
Dimensions
307.4 × 97.2 cm (121 × 38 1/4 in.)
Classification
sari (garment)
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
50016
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The Hindi word sari translates to “strip [length] of cloth,” and the garment has a history that dates back as far as 2000 BCE. Worn throughout Southeast Asia, the sari is mostly associated with India. The exact method of wrapping this garment varies widely; typically, a woman wraps and pleats the sari around her waist and then drapes it over one shoulder, sometimes covering her head. A sari is worn with a short, fitted blouse called a choli, and sometimes with an underskirt. The brilliant red co...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...