1920s Antique Egyptian Assuit Shawl, Art Deco Pattern, Vintage Wedding Bridal
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:766795 | Look: Art Deco |
| Decade: 1920s |
Absolutely stunning 1920's antique vintage piece!
Originating in Asyut, Egypt, assuit (also spelled asyut or assiut) is the marriage of a Turkish single-stitch metal embroidery technique with Egyptian cotton tulle. Invented in the late 19th century as tourist art for travelers visiting the area, this fabric was first described in Edwardian era travel literature as “spangled mosquito netting.” Traveling women would purchase these shawls to wear over their hats to prevent bites fr...om malaria-infected mosquitos. Production of assuit reached its pinnacle of popularity in the 1920s thanks in part to the influx of travelers flocking to the area to uncover the ruins of ancient Egypt following the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1923.
This striking piece is fashioned in ivory Egyptian cotton tulle and decorated in shimmering gold metal pieces. It has a rolled hem and a beautiful Art Deco geometric pattern consisting of large diamonds and petite pyramids. You are guaranteed to turn heads! It is perfect for weddings, Art Deco galas, Gatsby events, or even belly dancing!
MEASUREMENTSLength: 75"Width: 25"
Label: None
Condition: Very GoodThere are a few faint stains throughout and a larger area of discoloration in the center of the shawl where some of the metal is also slightly discolored. There is one small break in the netting. Does not detract. Priced accordingly.
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More about Assuit fabric from wikipedia:
Tulle-bi-telli, also known as Assuit or 'Assiut after Assuit where it is made, is a textile marrying cotton or linen mesh with small strips of metal. The fabric is not documented prior to the 19th century, though similar textiles existed in the Middle East in earlier times. Other spellings include assuite, asyut, assyut, asyute, and azute. The name translates roughly as "net with metal".
PropertiesAssuit has great lateral elasticity, thanks to its openwork mesh. It is heavy, and retains heat, but is favoured for its ability to drape.
ProductionThe base material is bobbinet, which is a machine-made fabric made of cotton or, in older pieces, linen. The embroidery is applied by hand. [1] Thin strips of alloy are threaded onto a flat, wide needle with a flat, wide eye. Alloy is used because pure silver would blacken with age and would be impossible to clean, and gold would be too costly. Each strip is approximately 1/8" wide and 18" to 24" long. The strips are threaded into the mesh, criss-crossed, flattened with the fingernails, and cut. The fabric is then stamped down, and when the designs are finished, the fabric is passed through a roller to flatten the metal even more.
Originating in Asyut, Egypt, assuit (also spelled asyut or assiut) is the marriage of a Turkish single-stitch metal embroidery technique with Egyptian cotton tulle. Invented in the late 19th century as tourist art for travelers visiting the area, this fabric was first described in Edwardian era travel literature as “spangled mosquito netting.” Traveling women would purchase these shawls to wear over their hats to prevent bites fr...om malaria-infected mosquitos. Production of assuit reached its pinnacle of popularity in the 1920s thanks in part to the influx of travelers flocking to the area to uncover the ruins of ancient Egypt following the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1923.
This striking piece is fashioned in ivory Egyptian cotton tulle and decorated in shimmering gold metal pieces. It has a rolled hem and a beautiful Art Deco geometric pattern consisting of large diamonds and petite pyramids. You are guaranteed to turn heads! It is perfect for weddings, Art Deco galas, Gatsby events, or even belly dancing!
MEASUREMENTSLength: 75"Width: 25"
Label: None
Condition: Very GoodThere are a few faint stains throughout and a larger area of discoloration in the center of the shawl where some of the metal is also slightly discolored. There is one small break in the netting. Does not detract. Priced accordingly.
————
More about Assuit fabric from wikipedia:
Tulle-bi-telli, also known as Assuit or 'Assiut after Assuit where it is made, is a textile marrying cotton or linen mesh with small strips of metal. The fabric is not documented prior to the 19th century, though similar textiles existed in the Middle East in earlier times. Other spellings include assuite, asyut, assyut, asyute, and azute. The name translates roughly as "net with metal".
PropertiesAssuit has great lateral elasticity, thanks to its openwork mesh. It is heavy, and retains heat, but is favoured for its ability to drape.
ProductionThe base material is bobbinet, which is a machine-made fabric made of cotton or, in older pieces, linen. The embroidery is applied by hand. [1] Thin strips of alloy are threaded onto a flat, wide needle with a flat, wide eye. Alloy is used because pure silver would blacken with age and would be impossible to clean, and gold would be too costly. Each strip is approximately 1/8" wide and 18" to 24" long. The strips are threaded into the mesh, criss-crossed, flattened with the fingernails, and cut. The fabric is then stamped down, and when the designs are finished, the fabric is passed through a roller to flatten the metal even more.
