Details
A wedding tunic,
composed of yellow gilt ribbons alternating with densely embroidered gilt bands, with a central panel worked with auspicious symbols, including stylised fishes, butterflies, stars and moons, Tunisian, Monastir region, late 19th, early 20th century
See Colour Plate
composed of yellow gilt ribbons alternating with densely embroidered gilt bands, with a central panel worked with auspicious symbols, including stylised fishes, butterflies, stars and moons, Tunisian, Monastir region, late 19th, early 20th century
See Colour Plate
Further details
Tunics such as this were the centre piece of the bride's trousseau and were embroidered with symbols to ward off envious glances. The enveloping nature of the gown serves a similar purpose as well as indicating the wealth of the bride. Similar robes are illustrated in North African Textiles, C Spring and J Hudson, page 78 and Noces Tissées, Noces Brodées, Exhibition Catalogue, March 1995, Musée des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie, Paris, Catalogue Nos 60-66.