DepartmentTextiles-Asia
Married woman's dress
NameEnsemble
Maker
Donlhany Bai
CultureBanjara
Dateca. 1974
Place madeKARNATAKA, INDIA, SOUTH ASIA, ASIA
MediumCotton, silk, glass beads, lead beads, mirrors, metal
Credit LineIFAF Collection, FA.1989.48.82, .84, .85, .87, .88v, .89v, .90v, .94 & FA.1992.78.12vx
Object numberFA.1989.48.84V
DescriptionWhen a Banjara woman marries, she has the right to wear a dress that marks her as a married woman. The backless blouse with its pairs of flaps, ornamented with tassels with lead and glass beads, on the shoulders and chest identify her as such. It is heavily adorned with mirrors, tassels, and beads. If she becomes widowed or divorced, she can no longer wear this blouse with its flaps. Her three sets of armlets worn at her elbows which she first wore as a bride, combine yarn tassels, cowrie shells, and lead and glass beads (The Art and Tradition of Beadwork, Marsha C. Bol, pg. 80-81).
1920s
c. 1945
