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One group of women is shown sufficiently often in middle Byzantine art to indicate a definite pattern of occupational costume. It is the class of Dancing Girls. This example is copied from an eleventh century manuscript.1 The flounce pleated onto the hem of her dress is an unusual feature, but the sleeveless dress or over-dress is a ubiquituous characteristic of the stage costume of the class of professional belly dancer in Romania.
Outfit by Edith Castro to a pattern and design by Timothy Dawson
1) Biblioteca Marciana Z 479, f. 12v.