Description
The unique design on this headscarf may refer to a celestial pattern: the full and crescent moons of the lunar cycle. Dyers achieved the reddish-brown color by using henna leaves, which they made into a paste and then painted onto the woven ground. The color saturation varies, particularly within the darker shades, indicating that the dyers made multiple applications. In Morocco henna is an expensive material that is associated with the divine and with protective measures.
Provenance
Fatma ben Houssein ben Ali, southern Anti Atlas Mountains, Morocco, before early/mid-1990s [this and the following according to personal communication from Ivo Grammet, May 24, 2002, in curatorial file, Arts of Africa]; by descent to her grandson, El Houssein, Morocco, early/mid-1990s; sold to Ivo Grammet, Essaouri, Morocco and Belgium, 1997; sold to the Art Institute, 2002.
Accession Number
159833
Medium
Wool; plain weave, tassels tops gathered with buttonhole stitches; henna dyed
Dimensions
206.8 × 122.2 cm (81 1/2 × 48 in.)
Classification
textile
Credit Line
Edward E. Ayer Endowment in memory of Charles L. Hutchinson