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Zabla and Topi (Cap) of Jamsetji Tata (1839-1904)
circa 1840 CE
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)
Mumbai, India
This dress was made for Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Empire for his sixth day ceremony after birth. The ceremony was celebrated at Navsari on 8th March, 1839. The young baby was named Jamset after his great grandfather. According to family records the dress was made of silk which was hundred years old at that time.
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Details
- Title: Zabla and Topi (Cap) of Jamsetji Tata (1839-1904)
- Date Created: circa 1840 CE
- Location: India
- Provenance: Gift of Sir Dorab Tata Collection
- Type: Dress
- Medium: Silk
- History of Style of Technique: The birth of a child brings great joy as it ensures the growth of the family tree. His arrival in civilised society is marked with a gift of a soft mulmul zabla. According to Indian tradition, it is considered inauspicious to buy any new clothes for the new born. In fact at first the baby is made to wear old clothes of a child from the family. The used clothing is soft for the tender baby skin and it is believed that through these clothes the positive family vibes and values would pass onto the baby. The arrival of a baby is remembered by its tiny clothes; a marriage ceremony by the carefully wrapped up wedding attire; parents are remembered through the garments they pass on to their children. This is perhaps one of the reasons why we treasure heirlooms. The tiny dresses worn by our children hold sweet memories. Treasured more than any expensive garment, they are a strong symbol of love. Earlier, they were stitched and embellished by mothers, aunts, and grandmothers for the child but today the trend of such home-stitched garments is on the decline, being replaced by the variety of readymade clothing available in the market.
- Accession Number: 32.2
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