Object Details
- Label Text
- The size and complex design of this textile suggest it was a special marriage wrapper, which likely was worn on other festive and ceremonial occasions during the woman's life. The wrapper completely enveloped the wearer within its designs, which include protective motifs such as the triangles and diamonds along the edges of the red band and the lozenge shapes that ward off the "evil eye," those harmful intentions conveyed through glances. The wool itself, especially undyed white wool, is also believed to be protective.
- Description
- This textile has been woven in a 1/1 weft-faced weave. The design is comprised of undyed white, and dyed red and blue wool threads. The sides have 1.0cm wide selvages woven in a 2/2 warp-faced weave. One end has groups of approximately five warps bundled together and wrapped to make "fringe." On the other end the warps have been wrapped into balled knots.
- Provenance
- Andres Moraga, Berkeley, California, -- to 2007
- Dr. Alain Gateaux, Paris
- Private collection, Paris
- Exhibition History
- TxtStyles: Fashioning Identity, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 11-December 7, 2008
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
- Image Requests
- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Maker
- Kabyle artist
- Date
- Late 19th-early 20th century
- Credit Line
- Museum purchase
- Medium
- Wool, cotton, dye
- Dimensions
- L x W: 374 x 167.5 cm (147 1/4 x 65 15/16 in.)
- Type
- Textile and Fiber Arts
