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Headscarf

A work made of wool; plain weave, tassels tops gathered with buttonhole stitches; henna dyed.

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  • A work made of wool; plain weave, tassels tops gathered with buttonhole stitches; henna dyed.

Date:

Early 20th century

Artist:

Ida ou Nadif or Ait Abdallah people
Anti-Atlas Mountains region, Morocco

About this artwork

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.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Textiles

Culture

Ida Ou Nadif

Title

Headscarf

Place

Morocco (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Made 1901–1925

Medium

Wool; plain weave, tassels tops gathered with buttonhole stitches; henna dyed

Dimensions

206.8 × 122.2 cm (81 1/2 × 48 in.)

Credit Line

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

Reference Number

2002.267

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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