Textiles

A superb Moroccan woman's silk antique city or citadine belt or sash -hezam o hzam- from Tetouan or, possibly, Fes. It features a wonderful woven work with an incredibly rich combination of colors and decorative motifs that show a clear influence from Andalousia. Among these motifs there are flowers, fruits and  khamsa motifs at both ends. A usual feature of these pieces is the combination of at least two main designs, very often four, with contrasting colors. However when worn only of the designs is visible. Likewise it is common that the background color changes in the middle of the sash. With fringe. Wear commesurate with age. Early XIXth century. A great collector's piece.

A woman's outstanding old wool and silk woven belt -hzam- from the Berber tribe of the Aït Ouarda a sub-group pf the Aït Ouaozguite inhabiting the region of the Siroua between the High Atlas and the Anti Atlas mountains in Morocco. They get the material for their characteristic woven pieces from a breed of sheep indigenous to that area and well-adapted to the harsh environment. Ouaouzguite women have always being reputed for their outstanding weaving skills and inventive combining color, textures and motifs. Natural dyes for their pieces were obtained from flowers, roots, etc. growing in the surroundings and indigo was often obtained from the not far away Dades Valley. The use of this latter dye was very demanding and complex but was mastered soon by Jewish members of the community. Broad wowen belts like this one were used on a daily basis by the women of the group. This one though is made of a richer material, silk, and features a wonderful combination of natural dyed colours as well as decorative motifs including the protective eye and other anthropomorphic figures and symbols, often related to fertility and maternity. A piece to grab.

A woman's superb old woven belt -hzam- from the Berber tribe of the Aït Ouaozguite inhabiting the region of the Siroua between the High Atlas and the Anti Atlas mountains in Morocco. They get the material for their characteristic woven pieces from a breed of sheep indigenous to that area and well-adapted to the harsh environment. Ouaouzguite women have always being reputed for their outstanding weaving skills and inventive combining color, textures and motifs. Natural dyes for their pieces were obtained from flowers, roots, etc. growing in the surroundings and indigo was often obtained from the not far away Dades Valley. The use of this latter dye was very demanding and complex but was mastered soon by Jewish members of the community. Broad wowen belts like this one were used on a daily basis by the women of the group. This one features a wonderful combination of basic colours of the Berber's palette, namely, indigo blue, shades of red and white. All of them obtained from natural dyes but for the white from valued natural cotton. A couple of motifs are made in silk. The decorative motifs include the protective eye and other anthropomorphic figures and symbols, often related to fertility and maternity. Small tears commesurante with age and use. Late XIXth century or early XXth century. A collector's piece.