Egyptian Wedding Head Covering (Turket Nakbir Elharir)
Entry/Object ID
2024.4.29
Description
This head covering is worn by brides in the Siwa Oasis. It is embroidered in the traditional colors of green, orange, yellow, red, and black, with mother-of-pearl buttons and many tassels on three sides. The local name for this shawl is said to be Turket Nakbir Elharir. The ground fabric, woven with highly twisted silk yarns, features bands of damask-like patterns. The fabric was supposedly woven in Cairo or Alexandria, while the embroidery was done in Siwa. According to Gillian Vogelsang, the variations in the stitches (normally 11 variations) securing the buttons are characteristic of work from this region. A blue embroidered inscription in Arabic may be the name of the woman who created the shawl (possibly the bride).
Acquisition
Accession
2024.4
Source or Donor
Teresa Lemon Shepro
Credit Line
Gift of Teresa Lemon Shepro
Made/Created
Artist
Unknown Maker
Time Period
1st half of 20th Century
Textile Details
Technique
Plain Weave, Embroidery
Ethnography
Cultural Region
Region
Siwa Oasis
Country
Egypt
Dimensions
Width
84 cm
Length
132 cm
Material
Silk, Mother-of-pearl button
Provenance
Notes
Purchased by Teresa Shepro in Cairo in 1991. Donated to TPF in 2024.
