tunic

Zoroastrian woman’s tunic, qamis Iran, Isphahan, end of 19th – beginning of 20th century Silk, twisted silk thread for the embroidery 71.1961.65.1

These tunics were worn by Zoroastrian women with full trousers and veils leaving the face free, often decorated itself with reserve patterns on a red background. Their clothing sets them apart from Moslem women. Made of taffeta with alternated cutting for the skirt which came up to a dark red bodice, there were embroidered panels on a green and blue background and dyed reserve panels put together after the design. A woven braid edges the neckline, the bottom of the skirt and the wrists. Reserves were made by knot tying for two sizes of circles and by sewing on small pleats before and gathering. Dyeing is done successively in two yellow and green baths. After dyeing, some indigo highlights are marked onto the patterns. These ones are called dandani «with teeth », a word which refers to the or gol-e Hindi «Indian flowers » technique. This last word underlines the close relations between the Zoroastrians of Iran and those who emigrated to India. 146x113 cm