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Source Description
This pair of curtains displays colorful silk bands with woven geometric motifs, and cream bands with gold-embroidered plants, birds, six-pointed stars, and the <em>khamsah</em> (خمسة), an open five-fingered hand. Birds and the tree of life were popular good luck or fertility symbols linked to marriage. The cosmopolitan motifs would have resonated with Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike, reflecting its creation on multiethnic and multireligious Djerba, an island off the Tunisian coast. There, both goldsmithing and gold thread embroidery were done by Jewish artisans (male and female, respectively). The fine materials suggest they once hung in a wealthy home or for special occasions; interior wall hangings were typically made from rough wool.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
95651
label
Curtain
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
95651
contentType
object
title
Curtain
description
This pair of curtains displays colorful silk bands with woven geometric motifs, and cream bands with gold-embroidered plants, birds, six-pointed stars, and the <em>khamsah</em> (خمسة), an open five-fingered hand. Birds and the tree of life were popular good luck or fertility symbols linked to marriage. The cosmopolitan motifs would have resonated with Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike, reflecting its creation on multiethnic and multireligious Djerba, an island off the Tunisian coast. There, both goldsmithing and gold thread embroidery were done by Jewish artisans (male and female, respectively). The fine materials suggest they once hung in a wealthy home or for special occasions; interior wall hangings were typically made from rough wool.
date
1600s–1700s
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q79477575
genreSpecific
Embroidery
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 281 x 157.7 cm (110 5/8 x 62 1/16 in.)
cul
Africa, North Africa, Tunisia, Djerba, Tunisian weaver(s) and embroiderer(s)
accession
1916.1361
Source extras
tec
Silk, linen, metal, and dye
tombstone
Curtain, 1600s–1700s. Africa, North Africa, Tunisia, Djerba, Tunisian weaver(s) and embroiderer(s). Silk, linen, metal, and dye; overall: 281 x 157.7 cm (110 5/8 x 62 1/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade, 1916.1361
collection
T - Islamic
didYouKnow
When first acquired over a century ago, these curtains had fringe at their lower ends.
citations
citation
Gebremedhen, Helina. “Arts of the Maghreb: North African Textiles and Jewelry – Curatorial Reflections.” <em>Journal 18</em>, Issue #19 (Spring 2025).
citation
Soenderholm, Ivan. "Arts of the Maghreb: North African Textiles." <em>Jozan: Oriental rug news</em>. January 30, 2025.
creditline
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade
updatedAt
2026-05-29 05:08:18.288000
sourceId
95651
dept
Textiles
coll
T - Islamic
med
Silk, linen, metal, and dye
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
04ad13b06f5a49d3