Photo © Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by Elie Posner |
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Outfit of a Jewish woman from Gabès
Tunisia First half of the 20th century “Let’s dress up like the girls of Gabès” is an adage that reflects the region’s reputation for rich, colorful clothing. One of the distinctive elements of this winter outfit is the wrap fastened with fish-shaped fibulae, worn over an embroidered blouse. The hips were accentuated by a belt of woolen yarn, and the head was covered with a kerchief worn underneath a scarf, adorned with amulet patterns and tassels. Embroidered scarves like this one were the sign of a married woman and formed part of her dowry. Instead of braided hair, woolen plaits adorned with beads and silver pendants framed her face.
Blouse
Wrap (melhafe)
Fibulae (tchlal)
Scarf (tarf)
Decorative braids (tmayem) The Zeyde Schulmann Collection in the Israel Museum |
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Digital presentation of this object was made possible by: The Ridgefield Foundation, New York, in memory of Henry J. and Erna D. Leir |
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