White Wool Aba

This white wool abba (aba) or coat was made in Egypt in the 19th century. It is made out of camel-hair wool and metallic thread. This style of loose fitting coat has often been worn by dignitaries and can be made from a variety of fibers.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has many examples of this style of coat made of silk and metallic thread. This abba may have been designed to be worn in cooler weather, since the wool would keep its wearer warm. This coat also has abstract geometric patterns woven into it and embroidered embellishments around its collar, front and back.