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, ZI2020.500741f ASIA, ZI2020.500741h ASIA, ZI2020.500741i ASIA)..
Object History
This silver and gold metal thread embellished boy’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 small skull cap (topi) in pink cotton with heavy embellishment. It is embroidered in (couching) style with gold and silver metal threads featuring intricate geometric patterns (jaal).
Judging from its size it was possibly made for a young boy, possibly a groom’s companion. Customarily in South Asian weddings a groom is often accompanied by his companions or groom’s men and a young boy often next of kin or close family member such as a cousin, or a nephew.
This piece is possibly from the Sindh region of the subcontinent and judging from its embellishment 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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