Child's Robe
This robe with its smaller dimensions was probably intended for a child or a small woman from the middle or upper classes. A luxurious garment, the dress is made of lavish beige-green moiré silk fabric with the characteristic wavy surface finish and a repeat pattern of feathery leaves and flowers in delicate earthen-tones of rose, greens, or yellow finely embroidered in silk. While the overall shape evokes Ottoman entari robes of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the sharply defined fitted waist and flaring skirt, as well as the bodice sewn of individually tailored pieces point to a more western fashion tradition. Such features are frequently associated with the Balkan tradition. The long decorative sleeves with scalloped double slits, which would have revealed the wearer’s undershirt, is characteristically Balkan. This example with a triangular panel hanging down in the front of the sleeve presents a less common asymmetrical and particularly lavish version of sleeves. Instead of typical passementerie bands, common in Balkan robes, this example has been extensively decorated with a repeating leaf pattern in the laid cord technique to mark the bodice in the front and back, the neck and collar, as well as the scalloped edges, sleeves and cuffs. Another technique associated with the sewing tradition of the Balkan communities is the practice of tagging the inner lining to the outside fabric, although only visible from interior.
Artwork Details
- Title: Child's Robe
- Date: ca. mid-19th–early 20th century
- Geography: Attributed to possibly from the Balkans
- Medium: Main fabric: silk (moiré); embroidered with silk
Lining of sleeves: silk (satin weave) - Dimensions: Length at CB: 47 1/2 in. (120.7 cm)
- Classification: Main dress-Childrenswear
- Credit Line: Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1956
- Object Number: C.I.56.5.2
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
late 19th–early 20th century
Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani
dated 1271 AH/1854 CE
ca. 1800
early 17th century
ca. 991–1031
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.