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Wall Hanging (msimsim)
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<em>Msimsim</em> wall hangings were one of three standard marriage gifts (<em>ṣdāq</em> or <em>mahr</em>) from a groom to a bride in Tétouan, Morocco, as recorded by marriage contracts from 1794 to 1894. These gifts indicated the financial commitment of marriage: divorce occurred if they weren’t promptly received! This <em>msimsim</em> was made from silk harvested in Tétouan, or from raw Asian silk imported via Marseille. Its traditional design is a double-sided gridded brocade (raised woven pattern), navy on one side, crimson on the other. When this was woven, at least 25 professional silk workshops flourished in Tétouan, producing bridal gifts and other goods that outsold European imports.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Moroccan weaver(s) |
|---|---|
| Date | 1800s |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, North Africa, Morocco, Tétouan, Moroccan weaver(s) |
| Medium | Silk, dye |
| Dimensions | Overall: 314.9 x 62.5 cm (124 x 24 5/8 in.) |
| Department | Textiles |
| Type | Textile |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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