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Woman's ensemble

Object Details

Label Text
The Benin court has a long history of assimilating luxury trade goods from neighboring and distant cultures. The embroidered and sequined Benin-style woman's dress and stole are sewn in an Indian silk sari cloth, known locally as "George," which is considered prestigious and expensive.
Description
Benin-style women's "George" floor length dress with matching stole; white and purple with embroidery and sequins.
Provenance
Gift made for Dr. Flora Kaplan by Queen Ohan Akenzua, 1988 to 2004
Exhibition History
TxtStyles: Fashioning Identity, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 11-December 7, 2008
Published References
Kreamer, Christine Mullen. 2008. TxtStyles/Fashioning Identity: 06.11.08-12.28.08. Exhibition booklet. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 10-11.
Content Statement
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Maker
Edo artist
Date
1988
Credit Line
Gift of Flora Edouwaye S. Kaplan
Medium
Silk cloth, sequins, beads
Dimensions
Dress: 151.5 x 144cm (59 5/8 x 56 11/16in.) Wrap: 181 x 82.5cm (71 1/4 x 32 1/2in.)
Type
Textile and Fiber Arts

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