North African Textiles [Paperback]

Christopher Spring (Author), Julie Hudson (Author)

Available from these sellers.

	Amazon Price	New from	Used from
Paperback	--	--	--
See # more paperbacks
Show fewer paperbacks

Book Description

Publication Date: January 17, 1996

This text is a survey of North African textiles from ancient Egypt to the present day. It is published to accompany two exhibitions at the Museum of Mankind: "Modesty and Display: North African Textiles" and "Secular and Sacred: Ethopian Textiles". The rich textile tradition of North Africa is the result of centuries of diverse cultural influences. The civilizations of ancient Egypt, Carthage, Rome and Greece had left their mark well before the Arab invasion of the 8th century, while more recently peoples from Europe, the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and India have contributed to its development. The book describes the main types of looms used and the spinning and dyeing techiques. It also looks at embroidery, applique, tie-dye and passementerie and explores the importance of symbols and motifs used in design. There is a contrast between textiles made in different parts of the region, and between town and country areas. Distinctions also reflect the different ways in which the tenets of Islam have been interpreted and expressed in urban and rural environments. The living tradition of North African textiles is apparent in the founding of weaving co-operatives which adapt old techniques and styles to new materials and markets. The book aims to provide new insights into the significance of textiles in the North African cultural tradition.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

#outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } This text is a survey of North African textiles from ancient Egypt to the present day. It is published to accompany two exhibitions at the Museum of Mankind: "Modesty and Display: North African Textiles" and "Secular and Sacred: Ethopian Textiles". The rich textile tradition of North Africa is the result of centuries of diverse cultural influences. The civilizations of ancient Egypt, Carthage, Rome and Greece had left their mark well before the Arab invasion of the 8th century, while more recently peoples from Europe, the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and India have contributed to its development. The book describes the main types of looms used and the spinning and dyeing techiques. It also looks at embroidery, applique, tie-dye and passementerie and explores the importance of symbols and motifs used in design. There is a contrast between textiles made in different parts of the region, and between town and country areas. Distinctions also reflect the different ways in which the tenets of Islam have been interpreted and expressed in urban and rural environments. The living tradition of North African textiles is apparent in the founding of weaving co-operatives which adapt old techniques and styles to new materials and markets. The book aims to provide new insights into the significance of textiles in the North African cultural tradition.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Designs and Patterns from North African Carpet... by Jacques Revault

Product Details

Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Smithsonian Institution Press; 1st edition (January 17, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1560986662
ISBN-13: 978-1560986669
Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,198,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Christopher Spring Page

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

There are no customer reviews yet.

Create your own review

Video reviews

Amazon now allows customers to upload product video reviews. Use a webcam or video camera to record and upload reviews to Amazon.

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }