Object Note
Part of a lot purchased together which includes a woman’s ensemble –blouse, pair of trousers and a jacket (ZI2020.500741 ASIA, ZI2020.500741a ASIA, ZI2020.500741b ASIA) and six other pieces not related to the ensemble (ZI2020.500741c ASIA, ZI2020.500741d ASIA, ZI2020.500741e ASIA, ZI2020.500741g ASIA, ZI2020.500741h ASIA, ZI2020.500741i ASIA).
Object History
This green velvet and metal thread embroidered men’s skull cap was purchased by Dr. Reem Tariq El Mutwalli from Kerry Taylor Auctions, London in 2020 to be added to The Zay Initiative Collection.
Object Features
This is a men’s skull cap (topi) – possibly stiff calf skin – with plain green silk velvet and gold and silver metal thread embroidery in (couching) style embroidery featuring dense and intricate floral (jaal) with (paisley/buta) and other floral motifs and four peach coloured plastic rivets embellishing the crown.
It has a pointed top; it is lined with a rich orange satin lining with a golden and pink coloured silk floss crocheted lace trimming and a black synthetic – possibly plastic – lining around the hem.
This piece is possibly from the Sindh region of the subcontinent and judging from its colour and other accompanying articles it could have been part of a fairly affluent Muslim groom and his men’s wedding attire.
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