soufreh (Rug)

About this object

History of use

Probably used as a floor cloth. Placed on the ground or floor to provide a clean place for the preparation and consumption of food (see Harvey, plate 103).

Physical description

Very heavy brown and orange, flat weave wool textile. Eight horizontal stripes of varying widths are embroidered with geometric motifs onto the surface of one side of the textile; some of the embroidered motifs are very densely worked and closely stitched, while others are simple and more open. Embroidered motifs are worked in black, dark blue, green, brown and off white wool yarn. Hemmed at top and bottom. The back side of the textile is a darker shade of orange than the face of the textile.