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Kaftan

ca. 7th–9th century CE
Not on view
The original linen coat (caftan), preserved in part from the neck to the bottom of the hem, is made of finely woven linen. A decorative strip of large-patterned silk is sewn along the exterior and interior edges of the caftan. A minute fragment of fur preserved as the caftan's interior attests to its fur lining. The woven patterns on the silk borders of the caftan include motifs such as the rosettes and stylized animal patterns enclosed within beaded roundels, which were widespread in Iranian and Central Asian textiles of the sixth to ninth century. The colors used in the textile include a now-faded dark blue, yellow, red, and white on a dark brown ground. The decorated silk fabrics are a compound twill weave (samite in modern classification) and the body of the garment is plain-weave linen. Two slits running up the back of the caftan make it particularly suitable as a riding costume.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Kaftan
  • Date: ca. 7th–9th century CE
  • Geography: Caucasus region
  • Culture: Alanic
  • Medium: Silk, linen, fur
  • Dimensions: 75 1/2 in. × 57 in. × 44 in. (191.8 × 144.8 × 111.8 cm)
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1996
  • Object Number: 1996.78.1
  • Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Skirting of a linen kaftan, Linen, Alanic
Skirting of a linen kaftan
Alanic
ca. 7th–9th century CE
Women’s linen and silk-trimmed upper body garment (tunic), Linen, silk, Alanic
Women’s linen and silk-trimmed upper body garment (tunic)
Alanic
ca. 7th–9th century CE
Leggings, Silk, linen, Alanic
Leggings
Alanic
ca. 7th–9th century CE
Linen pants, Linen, Alanic
Linen pants
Alanic
ca. 7th–9th century CE
Garment fragment, Linen, Alanic
Garment fragment
Alanic
ca. 7th–9th century CE

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