#2187   Turkish Embroidery   c. 1890-1900 

  Turkey

Materials: Beige crinkly cotton, colored silk floss, gold metallic thread.

Condition: Excellent condition, very slight brown spotting.

Measurements: 17" x 75".

Comments: Turkish women were renowned for their extremely fine embroidered textiles. Their embroidered Turkish towels and scarves are popular with today's collectors. The textiles were meant to be folded and hung or worn in such a way that the right sides of both embroidered ends faced out for all to admire. The textile offered here has a dramatic and bold design. One side has an oversized floral arrangement in an urn flanked on both sides by cypress trees; the opposite side has a vessel holding oversized grapevines. Colors are predominantly apricot, plum, green and blue with dival (goldwork) fillings. Both designs are edged with the Turkish oya (small flowers).