Sunday, November 4, 2012

Banyans from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

second half 18th century, European
silk, wool, linen

A banyan  is a garment worn by men in the 18th century influenced by Persian and Asian clothing. Also called a morning gown, robe de chambre or nightgown, the banyan was a loose, T-shaped or kimono-like cotton, linen, or silk gown worn at home as a sort of dressing gown or informal coat over the shirt and breeches. The typical banyan was cut en chemise, with the sleeves and body cut as one piece. It was usually paired with a soft,turban-like cap worn in place of the formal periwig. An alternative style of banyan was cut like a coat, fitted, with set-in sleeves, and was closed with buttons and buttonholes.


additional item of clothing shown with the banyan







ca. 1760, French
silk, linen



Photos from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Copy from Wikipedia.

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