Article of the Week number thirty-one - Bekasam Chapan

This Uzbek robe is woven from silk and cotton, with padding designed to keep the wearer warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

The garments are worn by men and women and the woven edge of the piece, integral to the woven body, is reputed to keep evil away from the wearer. This piece is from the middle of the 20th Century, as far as it is possible to make out. 

The bekasam chapan is also known as khalat in some parts of Asia. 

If any readers know more about this piece, please get in touch. We would like to learn about it.