Textiles

A most original old Berber headscarf -Ilbed n´Tislatin or Ilbed n´Tghri- from the group of the Aït Atta in the Moroccan High Atlas. Tie-dyed wool. Though it is sometimes described as a bread cover its use is quite different. It is worn during the wedding celebrations as a headscarf tied with green silk straps and silver chains. It is very likely that its owner only wore it once at her wedding. The design of this particular piece is very original which makes it very interesting. Mid-XXth century or earlier. 

A great old Berber headscarf -Ilbed n´Tislatin or Ilbed n´Tghri- from the group of the Aït Atta in the Moroccan High Atlas. Tie-dyed wool. Though it is sometimes described as a bread cover its use is quite different. It is worn during the wedding celebrations as a headscarf tied with green silk straps and silver chains. It is very likely that its owner only wore it once at her wedding. A fantastic piece of ethnic tribal art. Mid-XXth century or earlier. 

An eye-catching old Berber headscarf -Ilbed n´Tislatin or Ilbed n´Tghri- from the group of the Aït Atta in the Moroccan High Atlas. Tie-dyed wool. Though it is sometimes described as a bread cover its use is quite different. It is worn during the wedding celebrations as a headscarf tied with green silk straps and silver chains. It is very likely that its owner only wore it once at her wedding. A true piece of Berber art. Mid-XXth century or earlier. 

A superb old veil or shawl made of cotton and silk embroidery from the Berber group of the Aït Ouaouzguit inhabiting in the Moroccan Anti Atlas. Wonderdul embroidery work. Similar samples, yet not that old, may be seen in M.R. Rabaté et al: -Berber Costumes of Morocco. Traditional Patterns- pag. 67, 69, 173-175. Early XXth century.    

A great old shoulder or head scarf or - agounoun- from the Berber group of the Aït Hadiddou in Central High Atlas in Morocco. The -agounoun- was a part of a bride's attire at her her wedding and it was used as a shawl at the top of the shoulders or head under additional garments and headgear. Then she would not probably use it anymore in her lifetime. It was usually made from an old piece of wool that was then tie-dyed in basically two colours. The characteristic design of a large circle surrounded by smaller oners would be referred to a the -stars and the moon-. A lovely piece of ethnic art. Mid-XXth century or earlier.

A great old shoulder or head scarf or - agounoun- from the Berber group of the Aït Hadiddou in Central High Atlas in Morocco. The -agounoun- was a part of a bride's attire at her her wedding and it was used as a shawl at the top of the shoulders or head under additional garments and headgear. Then she would not probably use it anymore in her lifetime. It was usually made from an old piece of wool that was then tie-dyed in basically two colours. The characteristic design of a large circle surrounded by smaller oners would be referred to a the -stars and the moon-. A lovely piece of ethnic art. Mid-XXth century or earlier.

Who ever said that London was the cradle of the punk movement?. The Valley of the Ourika and its surroundings in Morocco in the very heart of the Atlas mountain range from where this awesome comes could have been very well so. A Berber hand-made knotted wool that shows a boldest use of new and re-used materials where the purest Berber tradition produces a serious piece of art like this. The warps has been made using different materials. The weft combines woven undyed natural wool, knotted undyed natural cream and brown wool brightly coloured threads. True art at its best. Otros names: -boucherouite-. 1980's.

An appealing woman's shawl, cape or -handira- from the High Atlas, possibly from the Beni or Aït Mguild in the Middle Atlas mountain range in Morocco or from neighbouring groups, though the use of these capes has extended to some areas of the High Atlas as well. It combines handwoven natural undyed wool, silk and cotton. It features very distinctive decorative stripes and long cotton fringes or pile. Nowadays it would be used during special gatherings and festivities where the women, dancing together, make a magical sound by rattling their jewellery. 1960´s.

A beautiful woman's shawl, cape or -handira- showing the arrangement of stripes and colours of the Berber tribe of the Aït Brahim belonging to the group of the Aït Haddidou, in the Moroccan High Atlas. Handwoven wool. Natural dyes. It is used not only in festive gatherings but also daily as a garment to withstand the freezing winter temperatures in the Atlas. It is fastened with textile straps or with fibulae. If the woman is married then she would also combine it with a very distinctive pointed headgear. 1950´s.

A beautiful Berber haïk or shawl from the Moroccan High Atlas. Handmade. Woven natural undyed wool. The combination of browns and creams as well as the distribution of the stripes are exquisite and grant it a very elegant tribal character. A haïk or -tahraoukht-, is an outer garment used by the different Berber tribes as part of their attire. It may come in many sizes and the way to wear it can vary a lot depending on the area and the needs of the wearer, for example, as a cape or as a sort of veil to cover head and face. 1960's. 

A absolutely stunning woman's shawl, cape or -handira- from the Berber group of the Beni or Aït Ouaraïn in the Middle Atlas mountain range in Morocco. It combines handwoven natural undyed wool and cotton with natural dyes. It features very distinctive and rich striped decoration used by this group and the eaqually characteristic long fringe at the back. Nowadays it would be used during special gatherings and festivities. 1950.  

An appealing woman's shawl, cape or -handira- featuring the distinctive colours and stripes of one of the three fractions of the Berber tribe of the Aït Morrhad in the High Atlas mountain range in Morocco. Handwoven wool. Natural dyes. It is used to withstand the cold winter temperatures in the Atlas and during festive gatherings. 1950´s.