Dress Panel, Pashtun or Kuchi Tribe
Silver embroidery with beading and mirrors
Embellished with metallic coins and embroidery, this reflective panel from the Pashtun or Kuchi Tribe exemplifies their highly spiritualistic practices. This textile would be strategically placed onto a dress to ward of the evil eye spirits. This cultural tradition of the Afghan nomadic group is associated with status and wealth of a Kuchi woman, seen in this intricately designed example. The sewn-in coins and and glass beaded border create movement, contributing to its protective nature against evil spirits.
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The combination of embroidery beading and elaborate ornament is characteristic of Afghan textile and dress traditions particularly the highly embellished textiles associated with women's clothing in the broad Pashtun/Kuchi tradition communities.
This panel was probably originally made as a garment ornament bodice yoke or decorative panel sewn onto clothing rather than as a household textile. Small embroidered panels were incorporated into Afghan women's clothing and examples survive as separate pieces after being removed from garments.
Title: Dress Panel, Pashtun or Kuchi Tribe
Date: 2013
Geography: Southern/Eastern Afghanistan
Medium: Cotton, glass beads, mixed media
Dimensions: H. 8.5 in. W. 9 in.
Provenance: Purchased at Weekend Market in Bangkok, Thailand
Inventory Number: AF.02
