Egyptian Shadow Boxes

A small piece of antique Coptic textile woven as a horizontal band with two linear scallop borders flanking three central medallion design. Each medallion has a concentric pattern wi...

Museum-Quality Antique Palestinian / Bedouin Niqab Face Veil, Sinai Desert, Mid-20th Century, with Silver Coins & Amulets A rare and museum-quality Palestinian / Bedouin woman’s face veil (niqab), originating from the Sinai Desert region of Egypt or Palestine, 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, glass beads, carnelian, amber, and stones. * Heavily decorated lower edge with nickel silver amulets in the form of protective hands, believed to ward off the Evil Eye. * Intricate tassels, chains, and beadwork 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 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...