Artwork Page for Embroidery sampler (chelliga/shelliga)

Details / Information for Embroidery sampler (chelliga/shelliga)

Embroidery sampler (chelliga/shelliga)

c. 1700s
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Africa, North Africa, Morocco, Moroccan embroiderer

Medium
Cotton, silk, dye
Measurements
Overall: 58.4 x 59.1 cm (23 x 23 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Educational Purchase Fund 1929.831
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Upon completing their training, professionally-trained young women would produce a sampler as a "diploma" testifying to their embroidery skills.

Description

These detailed samplers demonstrate the artist's technical range. Here, floral designs, protective open-palm hand motifs (khamsa) and various patterns are embroidered using double-running stitches, straight stitches, and long-armed cross stitches with dyed silk thread. Young women from all social classes would learn these skills from a master craftswoman (mu'allima), who taught within her home.
A square, cream-colored cotton and silk sampler is divided into three vertical panels. On the left, a large, multicolored geometric structure with a pointed roof sits atop a stylized tree. The center and right panels feature stacked horizontal bands of repeating botanical motifs in red, blue, yellow, and green. Intricate, linear stitches create geometric patterns across the textile, while narrow bands of flowers and stars run along the top and bottom borders.

Embroidery sampler (chelliga/shelliga)

c. 1700s

Africa, North Africa, Morocco, Moroccan embroiderer

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