Publication Date
20th century
Publication Place
-
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
Subject
Fabric, copper, silver, ivory, seashell, plastic
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
طول: 39 سم عرض: 37.5 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
FBQ.HH.2006
Record ID
object;EPM;qt;Mus22;11;ar
Library Location
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
Date
20th century
Notes
A rare example of a traditional accessory that adorns Bedouin women on special occasions such as weddings, the decorated burqa remains a source of honor and identity for the Bedouins. It is found throughout the Middle East, especially in the Sinai region of Egypt, southern Palestine, and the Tabuk region in northwestern Saudi Arabia. This burqa reflects the shared material culture and long historical interactions across Sinai, the southern Levant, and northwestern Arabia. Decorated with seashells, colorful beads, and more than 350 pieces of gold and silver, this burqa exposes only the eyes while burgundy fabric covers the nose, mouth, and neck. In a shiny coating of feathers, the coins are meant to repel evil intentions, with the Maria Theresa coin highlighted as a central symbol of wealth and status. The triangular and diamond shapes embody amulet-like powers through elaborate embroidery and beading. As a finishing touch, cowrie shells protect against the evil eye and promote fertility through their signifying shape. To this day, this type of face covering represents honor and identity for the Bedouins, and is worn by Bedouin women in Yemen, Oman, Egypt and Palestine on happy occasions such as weddings.
Sample Text
Sarah Schroeder “Burqa” in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;qt;Mus22;11;ar
