Prepared by: Moira Thunder, Victoria and Albert Museum
Man’s banyan, 1720s-30s, made in Europe from imported Chinese silk damask (courtesy of Kerry Taylor Auctions,V & A, T.31-2012)
Description
This is a banyan which is a man’s nightgown for informal wear at home, made in Europe from imported silk damask, 1720s-30s. A banyan of this style is a wide, loose garment, open at centre front, with wide sleeves. The blue silk damask was woven in China for import into Europe and is similar to a silk damask used for furnishing. The length of the repeat is 126.5 cms. It is longer than in other kimono-shaped banyans with 46 to 64cms being more usual and suggests that this silk might have been intended for furnishing but was also suitable for this banyan. The full width of the silk is used across the back.
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http://www.fashioningtheearlymodern.ac.uk/object-in-focus/mans-banyan/
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