COSTUMES
Pakistan: Sindh, Larkana
Lohana caste
Blouse (woman's)
1940s
Plain weave; Twisted; Resist dyed, plangi; Embroidered
Cotton; Silk embroidery; Mirrors; Shells; Mirror embroidery
23 1/2 x 22 1/4 in. (59.7 x 56.5 cm) overall
Elizabeth Bayley Willis Collection
TC 58.2-127
Keywords: Geometric pattern; Tassels; Floral motifs; Fringe; Edge finish; Hand sewn; Stitches: outline, detached chain with buttonhole, square chain, Cretan and chain, laidwork (couched), Cretan and herringbone, back, couching, stem, Cretan

The tightly done double buttonhole stitches, floral pinwheel motifs, and the predominance of white, green and black threads on a red background identify this as kanjari (long backless blouse) with the Indus Delta region of Sindh, Pakistan. Kanjaris are worn by Lohana people, and agricultural and pastoralist groups of Sindh. Women wear kanjaris with a ghagra (a wide gathered skirt) and a chadar or abochnai (two forms of head cloths). -- Label copy for Elegance of Embroidery, October 11 to 28, 1988.