This dress was acquired on the Greek island of Karpathos by the archaeologist Theodore Bent, from whom it was purchased by the Museum in 1886. It is made in one piece, but has the appearance of a tunic and skirt as a deep pleat has been taken into it, a way of adjusting the length. It is sewn without a shoulder seam.
The silk for the fabric and the embroidery threads was produced locally on Karpathos, as was the green dye, which obtained its characteristic colour from the lichen <i>rocella tinctoria</i>.