Artwork Page for Headkerchief (tensifa)

Details / Information for Headkerchief (tensifa)

Headkerchief (tensifa)

1700s

Africa, North Africa, Algeria, Algerian embroiderer

Medium
Linen, silk, gold, silver, dye
Measurements
Overall: 260.4 x 40.6 cm (102 1/2 x 16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade 1916.1237
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

This textile was displayed in the CMA’s first exhibition in 1916. While it is from North Africa, it was displayed in the "Nearer East" gallery.

Description

This beautiful kerchief, worn wrapped around the head, was part of elegant bathing equipment that well-to-do women wore while relaxing in a hammam after bathing. The floral and foliate embroidery reflect a fashion that lasted for more than a century. This example is dominated by brilliant crimson and blue silk stitches.
Rectangular, linen white headkerchief embroidered with stylized floral patterns primarily in dark blue and pink and outlined in brown. The pattern shapes around a horizontal rectangular band of plain linen in the center, with two vertical bands of white geometric embroidery on each side. Browns, purple, and green detail the flowers amongst the winding blue and pink stems.

Headkerchief (tensifa)

1700s

Africa, North Africa, Algeria, Algerian embroiderer

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