Name of Object:

Velvet embroidered kaftan

Location:

Tunis, Tunisia

Holding Institution:

Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires

 About Higher Institute for the Study of Contemporary History of Tunisia, University of Manouba, Tunis

Date of Object:

19th century

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Velvet fabric, braided trimmings, silver thread with white and gold

Description:

This purple velvet kaftan is decorated with gold and silver braided trimmings and embroidered with silver and golden metal thread. It is fitted with mid-length sleeves embellished with a large "lyonnais" ribbon. The chest is covered by a large breastplate, split into two symmetrical halves, and adorned with large buttons of gold lace. The embroidery on the breastplate features two peacocks facing, on each side, a bowl with floral motifs. The kaftan is lined with a pale blue satinette on the outer rims with a pattern of swallows' wings sewn on. The kaftan, a particularly lavish item in the 19th century, was typically worn for marriage ceremonies, usually with calf-length trousers.

Type of Object

Textiles; dress; embroidery

Citation of this web page:

Saloua Khadhar Zangar "Velvet embroidered kaftan " in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2026.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;tn;1;en

Prepared by: Saloua Khadhar Zangar
Translation by: Flaminia Baldwin

MWNF Working Number: TN 001