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Woman's tunic

Woman's tunic
 (20th century)

Medium
silk (ikat), cotton (thread)
Measurements
119.7 cm (centre back) 181.5 cm (cuff to cuff)
Place/s of Execution
Uzbekistan
Accession Number
2012.350
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 Uzbek woman’s tunic is decorated with a striking ikat pattern of horizontal bands of pale blue and purple separated by narrower bands of undyed material, alternating with bold vertical stripes in blue and yellow. The fabric has been cut so the designs are symmetrical across the garment, with the band of vertical stripes positioned at each cuff and extending from shoulder to hem. Ikat is a dyeing process in which designs are resist-dyed onto warp threads prior to weaving. The garment features a moiré or watermarked finish. In Central Asia, craftsmen working in interdependent guilds create silk ikat clothing of this type. The hem is finished with machine-stitched embroidery.