Man's Damir Coat with Short Sleeves

The "signature style" of Syrian weavers combined fine weaving with intricate motifs and embellishments. Elite Bedouin men were among the key patrons of textile workshops and tailors in Aleppo and Damascus and commissioned meticulously designed damirs (coats) such as this one for special occasions. The weaver created vibrant patterns using colorful silk and metal-wrapped thread that would have originally shone and sparkled. The motifs placed prominently on the upper back may have been considered to have protective significance for the wearer. This example is made of fine dark red wool with a pattern created through a tight slit-tapestry weaving technique with geometric design in white, orange, red, yellow, green, and black. To add colorful contrast, the weaver chose to weave the underside of the sleeves in a broad band of blue with narrow red stripe. A fine standing collar of black trimmed with gold braid adds a luxurious touch, while the black fine black braids mark contours around the shoulder, sleeve, or waist seams.