Dress

CultureTurkish
Titles
  • Dress
  • Bindalli
Datelate 19th–early 20th century
MediumVelvet, metallic-wrapped thread, cotton, and tirtil paper
DimensionsOther: 57 7/8 × 43 5/16 in. (147 × 110 cm)
Credit LineGift of Lucien and Sami Toutounji in memory of Jacqueline Michel Souaya Toutounji
Object number2022.372
Non exposé

Explore Further

DescriptionBindalli, meaning “a thousand branches” in Turkish, refers to a type of wedding or formal dress with embroidery of delicate, coiling vegetal
scrolls worn by Muslim and Jewish women. This dark velvet dress with gold floral garlands is typical of this popular style. The flowers and
decorative motifs of the design are cut out of cardboard, which is covered with very thin gold or gold-colored wire wrapped around yellow thread and tacked onto the dress in a technique called dival embroidery. Details are picked out with sequins and thin gold wire twisted into coils.
ProvenanceJacqueline Souaya, c. 1970, until her d. 2019 [1]; by descent to her husband, Lucien Toutounji; given to MFAH, 2022.

[1] Jacqueline Souaya purchased the dress in Turkey c.1970.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Velvet Panel
late 16th–early 17th century
Silk, cotton, and metal-wrapped thread: cut and voided velvet, brocaded
2015.80
Embroidered Panel
c. 1750–1800
Cotton; embroidered with silk and metal-wrapped thread; couching and satin stitch
2016.287
Textile
19th century
Silk; woven with metal-wrapped threads
2020.68
Handbag
1910s
Metal, silk, metal wrapped thread, coral, and cotton thread
86.935
photo by Rachel Robshaw, courtesy Cora Ginsburg
c. 1806–1814
Wool broadcloth, silk, linen, cotton, silver-wrapped silk thread, and spangles
2021.119.A,.B
Evening Dress
Oscar de la Renta
Fall 1990
Velvet, paste gems, metallic embroidery thread, bugle beads, faux pearls, metal coil, and metallic ribbon
2000.530
Banner
late 17th century or later
Silk; woven with metallic thread
2021.317
Tent panel
18th century
Quilted cotton; embroidered with silk threads
33.95
Shakhrisyabz Suzani
c. 1800
Cotton; embroidered with silk thread
2016.83
Overall.
Samuel Gassman
2023
Tiara: Iron, platinum, enamel on copper, 19th century neoclassical helmet shell cameos, pink conch shell cameo, 19th century malachite cameo, 19th century hard stone cameo, shell, ebony, rose quartz, citrine, opal, garnet, sea glass, aquamarine, amethyst, gold, natural pearls, tigers eye, 19th century cut steel, silk, cotton velvet, and silk floss Box: Archival foam core, Magic Smooth resin, cotton gauze, silk, cotton velvet, silver, metallic bullion ribbon, paper, cotton damask c. 1900, silk damask c. 1850, 18th century linen, cotton thread, and silk floss
2024.284.A,.B
Cloak
Bourne & Hollingsworth, Ltd.
1916
Silk velvet, gold lamé, silk satin, and metallic thread
86.616
Evening Ensemble, Style 5220
Oscar de la Renta
Fall 1989
Silk satin, velvet, silk floss, metallic thread, bugle beads, and faux pearls
94.1221.A,.B