A RARE PAIR OF 'ARID' (WALL HANGINGS), CHECHAOUEN, MOROCCO, MID-19TH CENTURY OR EARLIER

This rare pair of Moroccan embroideries were made in the town of Chechaouen, (sometimes referred to as Chaouen or Chefchaouen), northwest of Fez. Muslim and Jewish refugees fleeing southern Spain after the fall of Granada in 1492, settled in Fez, Chaouen and Tetouan, all towns now renowned for their early embroideries, which synthesised elements from the traditions of Spain, the Ottomans, Europe and the Maghrebi. Embroideries were used to decorate the home on special occasions; hanging such as these were used to adorn entrance-ways, windows or as mirror covers. 

A related embroidery is in the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Eliza M. & Sarah L. Niblack Collection, 33.281, see Hali, Issue 121, March-April 2002, p. 43, fig. 8. A similar pair is in the Tami Tazi Collection, Casablanca, illustrated Hali, Issue 113, November-December 2000, p. 121 fig. 3. A single panel, possibly with joined sections, was sold at Christie's South Kensington, 16 October 2002, lot 152, sold for £25,850, see Hali, Issue 127, p. 148, 'Auction Price Guide'.