Moroccan Wedding Sash
Sashes (l’ahzem) such as this one are an indispensable element of a woman’s wedding ensemble, and would be worn tied around the waist. This sash is ornamented with four patterns, which repeat horizontally. Sashes were always folded lengthwise (evidenced here by the crease down the center) and wrapped several times around the waist, over the kaftan. They served as a decorative element as well as a substitute for a corset.
While sashes are decorated with a wide variety of design patterns, the ornament always begins with a plain border two to three centimeters wide, followed by a section with the so-called "hand of Fatima" or "khamsa" pattern. While mostly worn in Muslim ceremonies, sashes such as this one may have been woven by Berbers or Jews living in nearby communities, who were known to manufacture some of the finest Moroccan textiles.
While sashes are decorated with a wide variety of design patterns, the ornament always begins with a plain border two to three centimeters wide, followed by a section with the so-called "hand of Fatima" or "khamsa" pattern. While mostly worn in Muslim ceremonies, sashes such as this one may have been woven by Berbers or Jews living in nearby communities, who were known to manufacture some of the finest Moroccan textiles.
Artwork Details
- Title: Moroccan Wedding Sash
- Date: late 19th–early 20th century
- Geography: Attributed to Morocco
- Medium: Silk; woven
- Dimensions: Textile without fringe: H. 107 in. (271.8 cm)
W. 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm)
Fringe: H. 23 in. (58.4 cm) - Classification: Textiles
- Credit Line: Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art, 2008
- Object Number: 2008.531
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
ca. 1800
18th century
19th century
18th century
18th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.