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Kaftan
Bedouin, Saudi Arabian (Possibly Asir or Tayif)
Medium/Technique
Velvet; machine-embroidered
Dimensions
Center back: 132.1 cm (52 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Dawn Nordblom in memory of Rodger P. Nordblom
Accession Number2014.447
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsTextiles
DescriptionBlue velvet kaftan with machine stitching in gold, green, red and blue. High waistline. Along the V neckline is a decoration of heavy stitching in linear designs (very symmetrical). The embroidery seen at the cuffs mirrors the embroidery seen at the chest area of the kaftan (there are rows of stitched lines variating in color (occupying approximately 2in. of space from the cuff), and yellow stitching in a looped line. Approximately a 1.5 in from the looped yellow line are more rows of colorful stitching. Along the sleeve is a vertically stitched yellow trim. Along the right and left sides, underneath the arm, are two horizontally stitched yellow lines. Below the horizontal lines are 3 vertically stitched lines (one yellow chain stitched line with a red chain stitched line of either side) that extend to the bottom of the kaftan.
ProvenanceBetween 1980 and 1985, acquired by Dawn Nordblom, Palm Beach, CA from Bedouin people in Saudi Arabia; 2014, gift of Nordblom to the MFA. (Accession date: February 26, 2014)