Wall Hanging (msimsim)
Africa, North Africa, Morocco, Tétouan, Moroccan weaver(s) · 1800s · Cleveland Museum of Art
Guide
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From the museum
Msimsim wall hangings were one of three standard marriage gifts (ṣdāq or mahr) 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 msimsim 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. Some scholars believe these checkerboard fabrics were traded, and eventually influenced patterns in some West African strip woven textiles.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC0
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Details
- Maker
- Africa, North Africa, Morocco, Tétouan, Moroccan weaver(s)
- Date
- 1800s
- Medium
- Silk, dye
- Dimensions
- Overall: 314.9 x 62.5 cm (124 x 24 5/8 in.)
- Place of origin
- Africa
- Held by
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · Not on view
- Credit line
- Gift of The Textile Art Alliance
Image: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0