This hand-embroidered dress front is worn by a Baluch woman. Embroideries of this type come from the region of southwest Pakistan, a region presently known as Baluchistan. The area is inhabited by a number of different tribal groups, loosely grouped under the tribal appellation of 'Baluch', whose cousins or family inhabit the regions of southeast Persia (Iran) known as Sistan province.These hand-embroidered pieces from the Baluchistan area are important for both the craft of needlework and the motifs. That they were meant for personal use and as ornamentation show the distinct aesthetic taste of the people. The objects, made by women, and the possible transference of such knowledge and skill over generations indicate the significance of female labour in the household.
