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View at the museum ↗Cover
Unrecorded artist17th century
- Attribution
- Turkey
- Medium
- Linen, plain weave; embroidered with silk floss in running stitches, pattern darning; main warp fringe
- Physical dimensions
- 160 × 57.4 cm (63 × 22 5/8 in.); Irregular weft repeat: H.: 9.5 cm (3 3/4 in.)
- Credit line
- Gift of Burton Y. Berry
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Source rights statement: Public domain
View the museum record ↗From the museum
Small, rectangular panels like this example are sometimes referred to as mirror covers, used to hang over mirrors as talismans to ward off the evil eye, a curse believed to be cast by a malevolent stare caused by jealousy or envy. They might also be used as covers for serving trays or for Qur'ans resting on reading stands. Embroidery represented domestic production that, at least until the early 18th century, imitated the more costly silks and velvets popular at the imperial court. Here, the embroidered pattern consists of pomegranate fruits, leaves, and scrolling vines.
Description: Art Institute of Chicago · CC BY 4.0