Posted by Steve Price on 04-27-2008 11:42 PM:

Tadjik Bridal Veil

Hi People

One of the pieces in the exhibition that's included in the on-line overview is this Tadjik bridal veil.



These are usually embroidered in silk, as I assume this one is.

This one, which belongs to Jean and me, has appeared on Turkotek before.



The iconography on such pieces is pretty unusual. I recall seeing one listed for sale by an on-line vendor who thought it was an apron. He didn't say anything about the function of the meshwork in what would be the pubic area.

Regards

Steve Price

Posted by Jim Allen on 04-28-2008 01:43 AM:

Burka

The one in the show was very large, the largest one i have ever seen. Maybe over 3 feet high? Jim

Posted by Patrick Weiler on 04-28-2008 02:56 AM:

Big Wife?

Jim,

The catalog shows it as 34" x 27" (86 x 68.5cm). Perhaps the new wife was extra large.....

It is labeled as 18th or 19th century, cotton, silk embroidery.
"There is much speculation as to the meaning and signification of the decoration with birds, a feature found in all veils of this general type. Some believe it to be a survival from a Zoroastrian past."
The book suggests the simurgh, or also possibly roosters.
However, my suspicion is that the meshwork in the veil is to keep the mosquitos away from the pubic area, Steve.

Patrick Weiler

Posted by Mishra Jaina on 05-14-2008 05:42 AM:

Hi Pat & Steve,

I have one of these as well.

Burqa veils or Hijaab veils have parallels across the globe and the Tadjik version is possibly the most decorated version. This presents a contradiction to my unenlightened mind - since the veil is meant to ward off attention from the person - why make it so pretty that i attracts attention instead ?



This particular type covers the face primarily, starting at the forehead, with a mesh that is just enough for the eyes to see through, but not enough for them to be seen.

The unusual length may have something to do with the fact that covering the upper body upto the elbow , is the sign of a virtuosity. I've wondered how this gets attached to the rest of the headdress...

Jaina

Posted by Steve Price on 05-14-2008 10:41 AM:

Hi Jaina

The elaborate, brightly colored decoration on Tajik bridal veils may be to ward off the evil eye by distraction, rather than to reduce attention to the person who's wearing it. The most striking example of that function is the Kaitag (Daghestan) embroideries made as cradle headpiece covers.

This would fit in with what seems to be pretty common practice in much of Asia, where even the most trivial of gifts (or purchases) are wrapped to conceal them. It's said that this is a tradition whose purpose is to conceal the item so that its owner won'tbe the subject of envy and all of its awful consequences.

Regards

Steve Price

Posted by Marty Grove on 05-14-2008 01:24 PM:

Extravagant decoration

G'day Steve, Patrick and all,

Colour remains another important feature of intimate articles made by the talented ladies belonging to the peoples of these regions, with exceptions demanded by the taliban fanatics. Regardless that today these colours are probably synthetic, there remains the ability to align often individually venomous shades alongside less so, to a remarkable composite of often astonishing beauty.

All through Dr Thompsons glorious new book celebrating the Hajji Baba Club members treasures, the incredible photography reveals the minutiae of detail the women put into their magnificent craft works of art. This bridal veil from the book and the one belonging to the Price's are perfect examples of the importance these articles hold for the women and which may reflect a belief in the almost magical or talismanic effect imbued by the special use intended for these marriage items.

One must have an item made for a specific celebration in hand to fully comprehend the fineness of detail and construction lavished on them by their makers. They are truely remarkable.

Regards,
Marty.

Posted by Steve Price on 05-14-2008 01:40 PM:

Hi Marty

I'd add that the iconography on Tajik bridal veils is similar on every one of them that I've seen live or in photos, which suggests that the motifs have or had some significance to the bride or the newly wed couple.

Regards

Steve Price

Posted by Marty Grove on 05-14-2008 02:11 PM:

G'day Steve and all,

Too true; they do seem so very similar in design elements, with that main border, and the field having something of the ensi in shape, but we can only wonder just why the form of them rarely ventures far from their norm. The birds might be pidgeons, for their homing propensity?

Regards,
Marty.

Posted by Mishra Jaina on 05-14-2008 03:59 PM:

Color

Hi Marty,

quote:
Colour remains another important feature of intimate articles made by the talented ladies belonging to the peoples of these regions, with exceptions demanded by the taliban fanatics. Regardless that today these colours are probably synthetic, there remains the ability to align often individually venomous shades alongside less so, to a remarkable composite of often astonishing beauty.


This is true in ethnic textiles across Asia actually - from the Far East to South East Asia to the Indian subcontinent to Central Asia! Vibrancy of colors is the one common binding factor of all Asian textiles.

Steve,
I remember seeing pictures of Roobands in an earlier salon or discussion.......could we pull those out ?

Jaina

Posted by Chuck Wagner on 05-21-2008 02:27 AM:

Hi Jaina,

We looked at one in this thread of a past mini-salon

Central Asian Embroideries

Regards,
Chuck Wagner

__________________
Chuck Wagner

Posted by Richard Larkin on 05-21-2008 12:38 PM:

Hi Chuck,

Thanks for that link. I missed those the first time around. Nice pieces. I love that belt.

__________________
Rich Larkin

Posted by Mishra Jaina on 05-23-2008 02:49 AM:

Thanks Chuck,

The link you've mentioned in that discussion is great - wish it had more pictures.

The beauty of your belt made me sigh and sigh in covetous greed !

Jaina