Wedding Belt late 18th-early 19th century

silk, textile

tribal design

natural stone pattern

silk

geometric composition

textile

geometric pattern

hand-embroidered

minimal pattern

building art

spray can art

beaded

layered pattern

This “Wedding Belt” is a textile piece woven with intricate geometric patterns in a range of colors, including gold, red, purple, and white. The belt, which was made by an anonymous artist in the late 18th or early 19th century, is a beautiful example of traditional craftsmanship. It likely served as a decorative element for a wedding dress, symbolizing the joining of two individuals. The piece can be viewed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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This style of belt was an important and expensive costume item that was often part of a bride's accessories which would be valued and used on special occasions during the rest of her life. This belt was worn folded in half (see wear marks at the center of the belt) and wrapped around the waist. By varying the wrapping, four different color effects could be achieved to coordinate with the garment being worn. Weaving technology used by urban Arab weavers was very sophisticated. A belt such as this, with its complicated and diverse patterning would probably have involved at least five specialists: a dyer to create the four warp colors, three coordinated weavers (one handling the weft thread and ground structure, and two developing the pattern), and a passementerie craftsperson to finish the braided warp ends.