Title
Woman’s robe (munisak)
circa 1850-1875
Artists
Unknown Artist
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Details
- Other Title
- Woman’s ceremonial robe
- Place where the work was made
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Bukhara
→
Uzbekistan
- Date
- circa 1850-1875
- Media category
- Textile
- Materials used
- silk, cotton; velvet, warp resist dyeing (ikat)
- Dimensions
- 104.5 x 164.0 cm; 118.5 cm sleeve to sleeve
- Credit
- David Jones Fund 2010
- Location
- South Building, lower level 1, Asian Lantern galleries
- Accession number
- 118.2010
- Share
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About
Known as abrabandi or ‘cloud dyeing’, the complex technique of tying and dyeing threads with a pattern before weaving is closely associated with the fine textiles of Central Asia. Velvet ikat, which was only made in Uzbekistan for a brief period between about 1850 and 1875, is among the most admired of these cloths.
This munisak women’s robe features a design inspired by the bold jewellery of the region. With its dazzling colours, fitted waist and V-shaped neckline, it would have been the most sumptuous garment in a wealthy bride’s dowry.
In many traditions, the munisak was first worn on a woman’s wedding day and later for occasions which marked rites of passage.
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Exhibition history
Shown in 3 exhibitions
Silk Ikats of Central Asia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 02 Jul 2009–11 Oct 2009
One hundred flowers (2011), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 01 Sep 2011–15 Jan 2012
Elemental, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 30 Jul 2022–2024