Publication Date
365 - 386 AH / 975 - 996 AD
Publication Place
-
Museum of Islamic Art
Subject
Linen decorated with silk embroidery.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الطول: 40 سم ؛ العرض: 40 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
9444
Record ID
object;ISL;eg;Mus01;39;ar
Library Location
Museum of Islamic Art
Date
365 - 386 AH / 975 - 996 AD
Notes
The piece is a square handkerchief decorated on two ends with two sets of red, yellow, black and white silk ribbons embroidered in a chain stitch. Each group of bands consists of an outer band decorated with two wavy branches with small branches sandwiched between them, followed on the inside by a wide band consisting in turn of three bands: two end bands decorated with a line of repeated writing in Kufi script, which reads “Almighty in God”; The middle strip is decorated with drawings of successive birds with flying plant leaves emerging from their necks. These bird drawings are sandwiched between two thin strips of geometric decoration. This handkerchief is attributed to the Fatimid Caliph Al-Aziz Billah, who ruled in the period 365-386 AH / 975-996 AD, and who was known for his tolerance towards the Copts and seeking the help of their artists and encouraging them, which made them exert great effort in perfecting their craft. And their arts. These artists used decorative elements influenced by Coptic art, such as drawings of doves inside bowls or in various other shapes. The textile industry flourished and diversified in the Fatimid era, and silk was widely used to decorate fabrics. This is due to the wealth that the Fatimids enjoyed, which was evident in the manifestations of splendor in various aspects of their lives, especially in their luxurious clothing such as turbans, cloaks, handkerchiefs, and others.
Sample Text
Muhammad Abbas Muhammad Selim “Handkerchief” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;eg;Mus01;39;ar
