Lot 281: A CENTRAL ASIAN SILK AND COTTON IKAT WOMAN'S CHAPAN, CIRCA 1880S

This woman’s chapan from Central Asia is constructed from multiple narrow panels of hand-loomed silk and cotton ikat. The exterior features a bold vertical abr or cloud pattern in a palette of ocher yellow, magenta, and earthy brown. The garment is finished with a navy blue printed cotton border, likely a Russian or European trade cloth, decorated with floral sprays, radiating sunbursts, and repeated Islamic crescent moon and star motifs in shades of red, cream, and yellow. The interior is lined with a solid reddish-brown cotton fabric. The entire garment exhibits extensive hand-stitched vertical quilting in a contrasting white thread, a technique used for structure and insulation. The silhouette is a traditional straight, floor-length open-front coat with long sleeves, designed for layering.