Coat (Choga)

Unknown

mid-19th century or earlier · Ground fabric: hand-spun red plain-weave wool (warp and weft); embroidery: silk; facing: ikat silk (warp), cotton (weft); lining: roller-printed Russian cotton · Islamic Art

Renowned for their knotted-pile carpets and storage bags, Turkmen weavers also produced magnificent examples of wearable art such as this remarkable coat. The decoration of the exterior consists of geometric and abstract floral motifs and is among the best examples of Turkmen embroidery. The abstract exterior decoration contrasts with the interior of the coat, which is lined with a bright floral-printed cotton made in Russia. The coat, a rare example of its type, is likely the work of either the Chodor or Yomut Turkmen.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid-19th century or earlier

Medium

Ground fabric: hand-spun red plain-weave wool (warp and weft); embroidery: silk; facing: ikat silk (warp), cotton (weft); lining: roller-printed Russian cotton

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Hajji Baba Club and The Page and Otto Marx Jr. Foundation Gifts, in memory of Newton Foster, 1998