Throughout the world’s cultures, weddings celebrate the profound bond between two people, but the ceremonies, customs, and clothing that accompany them are as varied as the countries in which they occur. This presentation of wedding ensembles and related accessories from China, Japan, and Ottoman Turkey and the Balkans illustrates this diversity. Each piece reflects the distinctive aesthetics of its place of origin, with fabric, color, decorative materials, and motifs chosen for their specific meanings. Auspicious symbolism, which is frequently tied to the change in a woman’s social status as she becomes a wife, expresses universal wishes for a joyful, secure union marked by fertility, prosperity, and longevity.
The examples featured in this presentation date from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century—a period of growing European and American influence in Asia and the Middle East. The intricate craftsmanship and evolving styles of the pieces reflect the unique ability of wedding attire to balance tradition and modernization. The carefully preserved dresses and accessories are usually the most ornate and treasured items in women’s wardrobes. Often passed down from mother to daughter, sometimes for generations, these heirlooms offer a lens through which to trace the development of fashions and cultural traditions.