03.12.08
Posted in World Textiles, Announcements at 2:18 pm by Administrator
A few years ago, it was our distinct pleasure to hear a talk presented by Hafiza Malikbaba, translated by Rachel Lehr, at the Newport, NH Library. Hafiza is a woman from Afghanistan who is part of an international effort to raise money for literacy in the most impoverished country on earth. This is done by teaching women to embroider, using only natural fibers and dye colors found in the country.
This is an example of a pillow made by someone involved with the Rubia project. The earth tones are quite typical of these works. Often, the women “sign” their work, but first, they must learn to write their own names. photo courtesy of Rachel Lehr, one of the founders of the project who is fluent in all the dialects of Afghanistan and travels there frequently.
The story of Hafiza’s life and that of her family would amaze anyone. There is a file on our website that includes information and some of the photos we published in The Quilter magazine.
To read updates on the Rubia project, please take a look at the current Rubia newsletter. I think you’ll find the reports most interesting.
Patricia Cummings, Quilter’s Muse Publications and Virtual Museum
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10.25.07
Posted in World Textiles at 1:06 pm by Administrator
10′ x 12′ Egyptian tent panel
A reader has sent us the photo seen above. Her description of it is as follows: “This tent panel is appliquéd on four hand loomed cotton panels. The green has faded to gray.” One of her friends explained that the script is from the “Love Song of Omar Kyam,” and so this panel is probably one of many, many panels that made up a celebratory marriage tent.
One of the reader’s questions is about how best to store such an item.
My Thoughts
First of all, thank you so much for sharing a photo of this wonderful item.
Storage of large, room-size items, such as this, becomes very difficult in a home situation. Ideally, the piece would best be stored flat, rather than rolled. Rolling squishes the innermost edge.
Depending on the strength of the fibers, the panel could be secured to hang vertically, using a “museum mount” method that stabilizes all four edges. In that method, usually a rectangular (or square) frame, made of wood, and treated with several coats of polyacrylic finish, and hook and grip tape, such as Velcro, are used. A professional framer could be of further assistance. The main problem in most homes would be finding wall space large enough to hang the mounted piece.
If I remember correctly, I’ve listed more details about framing and textile care, in general, in my (free-to-read) online book, Straight Talk About Quilt Care.
From your note, I could not tell whether you wish to sell this item or if you would like to donate it somewhere, as you mention that a museum might like it. In most museums, textiles barely ever see the light of day, except in a special exhibit from time to time. Textiles are labor intensive to maintain in good shape, and museums often do not have the time or paid, qualified staff who are able to devote a lot of work in that area.
If you can see fit to do so, please consider donating this panel to a university that has a teaching program for textiles. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least four such universities who maintain extensive textile collections, teach students how to preserve, clean, and properly handle textiles, and which also share textile holdings online in databases that the general public can enjoy. I would be happy to provide specific recommendations.
I am responding to this query, in a public manner, so that more people can benefit from 1) viewing this terrific textile, and 2) hearing my advice.
Should anyone have any comment, please click on the comments button below. Please keep in mind that all comments are monitored to keep out the nut cases, but serious, well-thought ideas are always welcome here.
Patricia Cummings
Contact me personally at: pat@quiltersmuse.com
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08.16.07
Posted in World Textiles at 1:46 pm by Administrator
A few years ago, after I had collected some examples of Egyptian Appliqué panels, I wrote about them. The file is still on our website.
Yesterday, two different readers wrote to inquire about the age of some that they have and to ask for more information than what is provided in the lengthy online file.
Teresa Davis sent the image above.
To narrow down the age of any of these panels is difficult. Mainly, one must look at the condition of the fabrics and the state of their deterioration, or so it seems. As far as motifs, the themes are ubiquitous: camels, donkeys, people doing all sorts of things, pyramids, and other typically Egyptian motifs.
Egyptian Wall Hanging owned by Barbara of Australia
Barbara comments that this panel reminds her of the “Donkeys” textile I had posted on my internet file. Curiously, these donkeys, like my example, lack enough “legs.”
Surely, I am no expert on Egyptology, or the textiles of Egypt. I simply enjoy them. So, if anyone has any additional information, please feel free to share it with us.
Patricia Cummings, pat@quiltersmuse.com
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