Curtain (1600s–1700s): Art, History and Details

Curtain (1600s–1700s) is in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection.

The work and its context

The museum's open-access catalogue describes the work:

This pair of curtains displays colorful silk bands with woven geometric motifs, and cream bands with gold-embroidered plants, birds, six-pointed stars, and the khamsah (خمسة), an open five-fingered hand. Birds and the tree of life were popular good luck or fertility symbols linked to marriage. The cosmopolitan motifs would have resonated with Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike, reflecting its creation on multiethnic and multireligious Djerba, an island off the Tunisian coast. There, both goldsmithing and gold thread embroidery were done by Jewish artisans (male and female, respectively). The fine materials suggest they once hung in a wealthy home or for special occasions; interior wall hangings were typically made from rough wool.

Object facts

• Title: Curtain
• Date: 1600s–1700s
• Culture: Africa, North Africa, Tunisia, Djerba, Tunisian weaver(s) and embroiderer(s)
• Type: Embroidery
• Technique: Silk, linen, metal, and dye
• Dimensions: Overall: 281 x 157.7 cm (110 5/8 x 62 1/16 in.)
• Collection: T - Islamic
• Department: Textiles
• Accession number: 1916.1361

A detail from the museum

When first acquired over a century ago, these curtains had fringe at their lower ends.

Collection credit

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade

Further reading listed by the museum

• Gebremedhen, Helina. “Arts of the Maghreb: North African Textiles and Jewelry – Curatorial Reflections.” Journal 18, Issue #19 (Spring 2025).
• Soenderholm, Ivan. "Arts of the Maghreb: North African Textiles." Jozan: Oriental rug news. January 30, 2025.

View the collection record

See the museum's photographs and full catalogue entry. Catalogue text is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art's open-access data, with HTML formatting removed. This object and its supplied image are designated CC0.