Headscarf

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.

Headscarf

Ida Ou Nadif

Early 20th century

Accession Number

159835

Medium

Wool and cotton, plain weave with supplementary brocading wefts; extended warp fringe bundles, finished with oblique interlacing border; wool tassels, tops embroidered with buttonhole stitches; henna dyed

Dimensions

92.7 × 87.3 cm (36 1/2 × 34 3/8 in.)

Classification

weaving - printed

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Edward E. Ayer Endowment in memory of Charles L. Hutchinson