Cleveland Museum of Art

Headkerchief (tensifa)

Date

1700s

Medium

Linen, silk, gold, silver, dye

Culture

Africa, North Africa, Algeria, Algerian embroiderer

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This beautiful kerchief, worn wrapped around the head, was part of elegant bathing equipment that well-to-do women wore while relaxing in a hammam after bathing. The floral and foliate embroidery reflect a fashion that lasted for more than a century. This example is dominated by brilliant crimson and blue silk stitches. This textile was displayed in the CMA’s first exhibition in 1916. While it is from North Africa, it was displayed in the "Nearer East" gallery.

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