Berber Shawl (Handira)

This 20th century Amazigh or Berber shawl is a handira. A woman would have worn it for a festive occasion. Handira are worn across the shoulders and held in pace with decorative pins. The design of this handira features bands of geometric motifs, each unique and all executed in weft faced plain weave with weft substitution and pile of symmetrical knots.