a lovely antique Tajik silk Paranja / Faranji with Ikat lining, dating to the late 19th century. The Paranja was an Interesting central Asian garment - large-size and worn by Tajik women over the head like a cloak. While visually it looks like a coat / Chapan, it was rather a head covering with the overtly long false sleeves, there merely as decorative and dangled down the back similar to a Turkoman Chyrpy (see attached image from the 19th century showing how they were worn). The outer part is some sort of silk satin fabric… with tiny indigo wefts peeking and embroidered in black around the edges with classic Tajik motifs. Two false pockets on each sides. The lining consists of a gorgeous silk warp / cotton weft Adras Ikat in reds, yellow and white, with the thick edging made of a more dark indigo Ikat which classic to this garment. a really good ethnographic piece that one hardly see pop up these days. Email your question. size: neck to bottom 150cm (59”) and width 70cm (27”).. ….. (If you message via rugrabbit and don’t get a response within 24 hours, then your message hasn’t got to us so please email directly to: istalificollections@outlook.com )