Collection Online
Woman’s wedding dress
Medium
silk, silk (thread)
Measurements
101.0 cm (centre back) 37.0 cm (waist, flat)
Place/s of Execution
Afghanistan
Accession Number
2012.337
Department
Asian Art
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Vivien Knowles, 2012
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation
Gallery location
Not on display
Physical description
This wedding dress has a full skirt, high waist and extraordinarily long sleeves. Each sleeve consists of purple, green and pink silk sections, while the bodice, cuffs and hem of the dress are covered in elaborate embroidery in silk thread. The embroidered designs feature geometric and stylised floral motifs, including rows of multi-coloured tulips that symbolise wealth and fertility. Extra panels of Russian printed cotton are applied to the skirt. With its synthesis of traditional Pashtun, Turkmen and Uzbek motifs and techniques, the garment exemplifies the national Afghan dress style developed during the 1970s.