Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Museum-Quality Antique Middle Eastern Islamic / Bedouin Niqab Face Veil, Mid-20th Century, with Silver Coins & Amulets
A rare and museum-quality Middle Eastern Islamic / Bedouin woman’s face veil (niqab), Egypt, circa 1920–1940.
Traditionally worn by Bedouin women during weddings and ceremonial occasions, this extraordinary piece represents the finest examples of tribal jewelry, textile art, and Middle Eastern embroidery.
Design & Craftsmanship:
* Worked on a base of fine red silk and cotton embroidery, richly adorned with antique Ottoman silver coins.
* Heavily decorated lower edge with nickel silver amulets in the form of protective hands, believed to ward off the Evil Eye.
* Intricate tassels, chains, add movement and texture.
* Preserved in a custom lucite display box for protection and presentation.
Cultural Significance:
* These veils were more than garments; they were symbols of wealth, protection, and status within Bedouin communities of Egypt, Palestine, Sinai, and Negev.
* Worn only during special events such as weddings and feasts, their ornate decoration distinguished them from the simpler everyday niqab.
* Each veil reflects the identity of the tribe, with regional variations in embroidery, color, and adornment.
Provenance & Literature:
Comparable examples are documented in “Traditional Palestinian Embroidery...
Category
Early 20th Century Egyptian Islamic Shadow Boxes
