Head Decoration - Rashaideh-Saudi Arabia - Photos

Dear Thelma,

Many thanks for your message. I must say that the seller at the Souk had some extraordinary pieces. However, everything has been thrown and stuffed unfolded into shelves. He has mixed newer with older pieces, etc.. Sometimes, you can only see a tip of something and when you pull .... there is a big surprise - positive or negative. I have seen some rather huge shawl-like fabrics with the unique Rashaideh silver and glass beads embroidery. Many without a tear or hole in it, hence, of an extraordinary quality. Quite frankly, I am stunned by the Rashaideh's sense of beauty and elegance. When one sees photos of the Rashaideh tribes, they look rather rough, which is only normal when considering the environment they are living in. However, their dresses, shawls, head covers, etc. are so extraordinary - detailed, exact and straight with the highest quality of workmanship executed - it makes one wonder. Also, the fabrics they have used are of the highest quality, most of them are completely intact without any holes, tears, etc.. The black color of the fabric is still black without fading!! One piece was really special. It is a two-layered heavy black cotton triangular piece with a unique pattern stitched with silver beads and fine geometrical lines in red and yellow. Some tears, mostly at the back, were crudely stitched together (this can be nicely fixed) - clearly not by the same person who manufactured this piece of art. I left it for next time and hope that it will still be there... From time to time one can see some foreigners, however, they are normally not interested in fabrics. Hence, the chance that I will get some extraordinary pieces of Rashaideh fabrics (they are almost like jewelry...) is quite good! I will share them with you on this site. With kind regards. Peter

Comments

Thelma August 28, 2016 at 11:38am

Dear Peter, what a splendid example. I love the colours and the regularity of the patterns ... not to mention the tassels. It is also very interesting that it comes from the Saudi Rashaideh. We know that many of the Rashaideh migrated to Africa in the mid-nineteenth century because of intertribal warfare .. but it seems we know very little about the ones who stayed behind in Saudi Arabia. I would love to see more fine examples of their jewellery.
Peter Hoesli August 28, 2016 at 1:57pm

Dear Thelma,

Many thanks for your message. I must say that the seller at the Souk had some extraordinary pieces. However, everything has been thrown and stuffed unfolded into shelves. He has mixed newer with older pieces, etc.. Sometimes, you can only see a tip of something and when you pull .... there is a big surprise - positive or negative. I have seen some rather huge shawl-like fabrics with the unique Rashaideh silver and glass beads embroidery. Many without a tear or hole in it, hence, of an extraordinary quality. Quite frankly, I am stunned by the Rashaideh's sense of beauty and elegance. When one sees photos of the Rashaideh tribes, they look rather rough, which is only normal when considering the environment they are living in. However, their dresses, shawls, head covers, etc. are so extraordinary - detailed, exact and straight with the highest quality of workmanship executed - it makes one wonder. Also, the fabrics they have used are of the highest quality, most of them are completely intact without any holes, tears, etc.. The black color of the fabric is still black without fading!! One piece was really special. It is a two-layered heavy black cotton triangular piece with a unique pattern stitched with silver beads and fine geometrical lines in red and yellow. Some tears, mostly at the back, were crudely stitched together (this can be nicely fixed) - clearly not by the same person who manufactured this piece of art. I left it for next time and hope that it will still be there... From time to time one can see some foreigners, however, they are normally not interested in fabrics. Hence, the chance that I will get some extraordinary pieces of Rashaideh fabrics (they are almost like jewelry...) is quite good! I will share them with you on this site. With kind regards. Peter
Thelma August 28, 2016 at 2:59pm

This Souk al Zal seems to have great potential, Peter. We are looking forward to seeing what other great finds emerge on your next visit!

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