Moroccan Fez Sash

Stiff and luxurious Fez sashes were worn by women all over Morocco on ceremonial or festive occasions, and by the 20th century they were worn mostly by brides on their wedding day. The highly complex lampas weaving technique requires two people per loom and incorporates supplementary weft and warp. The repeating yellow floral motif on a faded purple ground seen here is likely inspired by French textile designs of the early 18th century.

The ends are braided into tassels. A sash would be worn draped a few times around the waist over a kaftan and the width, dictated by the loom, is almost always cut in half. This provided comfort and allowed both halves to be used separately, most likely by two heirs of the original owner. This sash has four main designs, allowing for four different ways to wear it as only one design is visible while worn. Typical to others of its time, this has two designs in a background color of light orange while two designs are a background color of red.