1999.33.49

Collection type

Object

Description

Cover for a bicycle seat.

Long description

Cover for a bicycle seat. The cover is made of a top panel of dark blue / purple silk which has been embroidered in orange silk thread. There is a tear-shaped loop of zig-zag gold braid stitched to the top panel and also four tear-shaped loops of couched metallic threads. These threads are made of cotton around which a fine layer of metal has been rolled, they are not taken through the background fabric but applied onto it. The couched threads are laid parrallel to each other and caught down by a small white cotton stitch. This work is common in Pashtun nomad embroideries. [In this piece I am not sure whether the threads are laid next to each other and then stitched or whether the threads are actually a pre-made sort of braid which has then been stitched down on the top of the panel. MdeA 16/11/99] The top panel also has a beaded tassel edge. The edged is made of purple / marroon braid which has several pendant twisted threads. Three white beads are attached to the bottom of each pendant thread. Beneath the silk layer are two layers of pale coloured, thin cotton textile and one layer of thicker, red textile. The red textile may possibly be recycled from another textile. All four layers have been stitched together to create a tear-shaped form with hanging beads all around the edge. Stitched strips of red cotton textile have been sewn to each end and to both sides to form ties to secure the cover to the bicycle seat. The upper side of the cover is faded and the silk torn in a couple of places. [MdeA 16/11/99]

Geographical reference

Pakistan

Asia > Southern Asia > Pakistan

Afghanistan

Asia > Southern Asia > Afghanistan

Cultural groups

Pashtun

Person

Field collector Marina de Alarcón

Field collector Mark Axworthy

PRM source Marina de Alarcón

Date / Period

Date made: Circa 1960?, uncertain

Date collected

29 September 1999

Acquisition information

Purchased: 18/10/1999

Materials and processes

Material Cotton Seed Fibre Textile Plant, Material Bead, Material Cotton Seed Fibre Yarn Plant, Material Silk Textile Animal, Material Metal, Process Stitched, Process Embroidered, Process Recycled, Process Beadwork, Process Woven

Dimensions

Width: max 275 mm, Length: max 345 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1999.33.49

Research and responses

For further information on this type of embroidery see 'Afghan Embroidery' by Roland Paiva and Bernard Dupaigne published by Musée de L'Homme, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Fondation de France. [MdeA 16/11/99]

See also page 40 of the above publication for a photograph of an object showing the techniques and materials used in this object. [MdeA 16/11/99]

Search terms: Transport and Travel, Textile, Furniture Dwelling, Bead, Cushion