Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution IK development site for ODI
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Woman's ensemble

African Art Museum

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

    Object Details

    Maker

    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

    Date

    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

    Data Source

    National Museum of African Art

    Topic

    Status
    Adornment
    Female use
    male

    Metadata Usage

    Usage conditions apply

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys71389956f-5aa6-4b63-bbec-7ba10c695509

    Record ID

    nmafa_2004-10-10

    Discover More

    Becky Sharp's gown from the play Hamilton.

    Best Dressed: Fashion Trends and Famous Wearers

    arrow-up Back to top
    Home
    • Facebook facebook
    • Instagram instagram
    • LinkedIn linkedin
    • YouTube youtube

    • Contact Us
    • Get Involved
    • Shop Online
    • Job Opportunities
    • Equal Opportunity
    • Inspector General
    • Records Requests
    • Accessibility
    • Host Your Event
    • Press Room
    • Privacy
    • Terms of Use