Fragment of Embroidered Sash

This fragment of hand embroidered linen comes from 19th century Algeria. Algeria is famous for its floral embroidery. Classic examples of this kind of work are counted-thread on fine loosely woven linen and were woven by professional female embroiderers. The designs were outlined in black silk or gold thread, as seen in this example,

These professional embroiderers created floral shapes in red, blue, and brown using Algerian eye stitch, and leaf shapes using brick and satin stitch. They often outlined their work in black silk or gold thread. This fragment likely had a longer tasseled or fringed edge at the bottom where there are traces of colored threads. The X-design across the top and bottom edge is sewn in white basic stitches. The overall design is similar to a piece at the Arthur Sackler Harvard Art Museum.