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Woman's ensemble

National Museum of African Art

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Object Details

Edo artist
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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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/
Credit Line
Gift of Flora Edouwaye S. Kaplan
1988
Object number
2004-10-10
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Textile and Fiber Arts
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.)
Geography
Benin City, Nigeria
See more items in
National Museum of African Art Collection
Object Name
george
National Museum of African Art
Topic
Status
Adornment
Female use
male
Record ID
nmafa_2004-10-10
Metadata Usage (text)
Usage conditions apply
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys71389956f-5aa6-4b63-bbec-7ba10c695509

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IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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