Greek Islands Tent Panel

Bed tents, or sperveri, were peculiarly Dodecanese. They were constructed of numerous panels, mostly embroidered, with valances front top and bottom. Their purpose was to shield from flying insects and provide privacy. The decoration is also uniquely Dodecanese, featuring vertical rows of abstracted florals surrounded by geometric borders and bird and animal figures. Complete bed tents are rare because they were typically split up between daughters to be used as a part of a dowry.

This style of embroidery and motifs are attributed to the Greek island of Patmos. The elaborate polychromatic embroidery covers most of the natural-colored linen ground.