GENERAL DESCRIPTION
By definition, embroidery is the addition of ornament using a needle and thread or yarn to decorate and enrich cloth and fabrics. Embroidery is not a technique indigenous to Africa, but spread with Islamic culture from North Africa southward beginning in the 10th century. Elaborately embroidered robes worn by Muslim men of authority were impressive and worthy of emulation. While not all people exposed to Islam converted, most adopted the embroidered out-sized robes that can be considered masculine “power dressing.” [2006.43]
Where it has been practiced, embroidery is usually men’s work. Often, male Koranic scholars draw geometric designs for the male embroiderers to sew by hand or with a sewing machine on handwoven or factory-made cloth used to make the robe.
Adapted from
- Roslyn A. Walker, Add to, Take Away: Artistry and Innovation in African Textiles, Gallery text, 2014.
NOTES
Fun fact also taken from source cited above.
ASSOCIATED CONTENT CHUNKS
AUDIO ASSETS
108342014: UMO
Gallery talk by Roslyn A. Walker, curator, Add to, Take Away: Artistry and Innovation in African Textiles
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
- Embroidery can be created with beads or other materials in addition to thread.
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
apply to objects where department_id equals 7
apply to objects where classification_name equals textiles
apply to content where content contains textile
apply to content where content contains africa
Category
rules_operator
AND
General Description
By definition, embroidery is the addition of ornament using a needle and thread or yarn to decorate and enrich cloth and fabrics. Embroidery is not a technique indigenous to Africa, but spread with Islamic culture from North Africa southward beginning in the 10th century. Elaborately embroidered robes worn by Muslim men of authority were impressive and worthy of emulation. While not all people exposed to Islam converted, most adopted the embroidered out-sized robes that can be considered masculine “power dressing.” [2006.43]
Where it has been practiced, embroidery is usually men’s work. Often, male Koranic scholars draw geometric designs for the male embroiderers to sew by hand or with a sewing machine on handwoven or factory-made cloth used to make the robe.
Adapted from
- Roslyn A. Walker, Add to, Take Away: Artistry and Innovation in African Textiles, Gallery text, 2014.
Fun Facts
- Embroidery can be created with beads or other materials in addition to thread.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Fun fact also taken from source cited above.
rules
Apply To
Objects
department_id
Equals
7
Apply To
Objects
constituent_id
Equals
textiles
Apply To
Content
content
Contains
textile
Apply To
Content
content
Contains
africa
source file
materials_and_techniques-0141.xml.nores