This extraordinary tapestry-woven silk with metal-thread square textile was probably woven in northern Syria as a cover or a hanging in the late nineteenth century. The outer magenta area is cochineal silk and the inner cream and ivory areas are composed of different silk and metal-thread combinations. The center is inscribed in Arabic and reads “Lebanon”. This may be a special dedication referring to Mt. Lebanon as the style of the weaving seems to be that of Aleppo and pre-dates the era of the French mandate.
Inv#16185