Blouse

This blouse resembles those worn by harem women in Orientalist photographs from the last decades of the nineteenth century and was intended for sale to foreign visitors as both the formfitting style and embroidered decoration indicate. Made of a very sheer organdy with thin stripes woven into the fabric, it is extensively decorated with embroidery. The hip-length garment has a center front opening that reaches nearly to the waist closed by two buttons and tasseled ties, and long full sleeves. The embroidered designs include a floral garland that edges the neck and front opening as well as the sleeve ends, floral motifs scattered on the bodice and lower sleeves, the star and crescent, and an awkwardly executed and illegible tughra, the calligraphic insignia and royal symbol of the Ottoman sultans (garments decorated with the tughra motif were not generally worn by local residents). The neck and front opening and sleeve ends are edged by a twisted thread trim with gold-colored metal sequins.