Embroidered Cloth from Azimur
17th-18th century
Description
The Zemmour (Azimur/Morrocco) tradition of embroidery has particular designs which can be also found in south Italian and Balkan embroideries.The principal motifs are the fat bird, the opposed birds set on each side of a fountain, the skirted lady and the heraldic beasts. These embroideries are worked in monochrome silk, with shades of red being the most common. Zemmour work also uses an outlining stitch in black. The stitch used is a small tight stem or seed stitch lay in two directions, making it appear like a small cross stitch. The stitch is sometimes worked very thickly to make a raised surface on the fabric.
Dimensions
26.5 x 67.5 cm (10 7/16 x 26 9/16 in.)
Related Artworks
View MoreInk on silk
20th centuryAustrianWool and linen
5th-6th centuryByzantineGolden beige satin ground with embroidered decoration
18th centuryChinesesilk and metal thread on blue silk satin ground, patterned with floating wefts, stamped (main textile)
18th-19th centuryPersianVoided velvet with moire silk
19th-20th centuryEuropean?Wool and linen, tapestry woven
8th centuryByzantineTextile fibers
17th centuryFlemish