Silk and cotton textile

Algeria, late 19th - early 20th century AD

Such cloths, tanshifa, were reserved for ceremonial occasions such as weddings, circumsisions and religious festivals. They were used by Algerian women to cover the hair and shoulders. This example is embroidered in violet silk thread and a cotton base cloth. The principal foliage motifs, worked in Algerian star stitch, are derived from Italian Renaissance forms.

C. Spring and J. Hudson, Silk in Africa (London, The British Museum Press, 2002)

C.J. Spring and J. Hudson, North African textiles (London, The British Museum Press, 1995)