The most stunning rare full length multicoloured silk embroidered sheepskin Afghan coat with embroidered floral and paisley motifs. A must have for any collector of these stunning coats. We have never seen one like this before.
We acquired this jacket from the original owner who purchased in 1975 on the border of Iran and Afghanistan.
Size Pit to pit: 21" Length: 48"
Condition report
Age related things to note: 1) Quite a few threads are lose. They can be cut off or tucked back in. 2) Patches of shearling have fallen out over the years. Very common for these coats. Especially on the right cuff. 3) It has no pockets. Which leads us to believe it was originally an over coat. You can put your hands through the holes where pockets should be. 4) There is a small hole under one arm, on the front and on one of the shoulders. 5) There is an ink stain under one arm. 6) It has no fastenings. 7) The coat sits a little wonky on and could do with lining up correctly. 8) Fading to some areas of embroidery.
Please inspect photos carefully. Please feel free to contact us for more photos or information.
It is in a used but very loved condition. And you will most certainly turn heads in the streets wearing this incredible piece of history.
Please note colours may vary depending on your screen.
This is a vintage piece. Threads may be lose, imperfections may occur. We are always very honest with our listings and will always list any age related issues we notice but please be aware that this coat is 50 + years old.
History of Afghan coats
Sheepskin or goatskin jackets - also known as Afghan jackets - were indeed considered a cult item between the late '60s and the '70s.
Traditionally they came in 3 forms; sleeveless, hip length vests known as Pustinchas. Knee length, long-sleeved coats known as Pustakis and ankle-length coats called Pustins.
Made with the fleece on the inside and the cured and tanned leather on the outside, Afghan coats originated from the Ghazni province, between Kabul and Kandahar in Afghanistan. Men would cure the skin, tan the leather and make the jackets, while women and girls embroidered them with intricate geometric and floral designs.
Western travellers started buying them in the 1950s, but they became more popular in the 1960s when hippies travelling to exotic locations started visiting Afghanistan and spotted them, turning the garment into a staple of their wardrobes.
In the mid 1960s Craig Sams, a young American, travelled to Kabul and started importing Afghan coats to the UK, selling them in hippie boutiques such as Granny Takes a Trip on London's King's Road. Afghan coats became popular with both men and women and The Beatles made the jackets even more popular in 1967.
