DepartmentTextiles-Asia
Bride's dress ensemble
NameEnsemble
Maker
Hima Ramabhai
CultureVaghadia Rabari peoples
Datec. 1975
Place madeSamakhali village, Gujarat, INDIA, Asia
Mediumsilk, cotton, glass, mirrors, seeds, shell
Credit LineIFAF Collection, FA.1990.16.62, .65, .66, .83, .84, .207, .209, .215.
Object numberFA.1990.16.62V
DescriptionThis bride's blouse (kanchali), made by Himaben, is the most elaborate type of this Rabari subgroup. She receives it as a part of her dowry to wear for her wedding and then later for festivals. For the wedding, the bride also wears a silk and cotton skirt (mashru) and her engagement necklace.Dress serves as an ethnic identifier among Rabari people, as well as an indicator of the stage of life of the wearer. Each Rabari subgroup has its own distinct dress, readily identifiable by other Rabaris (The Art and Tradition of Beadwork, Marsha C. Bol, pg. 75).
