White-Work Panel

This white-work panel was made in the 19th century, likely in Persia. It is white silk on white cotton. The handwork on this embroidery was executed with counted thread straight stitches, pulled thread work and needle weaving. The design and the size indicate that it was likely meant to be used as a book or Quran cover.

The origins are not so clear. This type of white-work was made everywhere from the Greek Islands and Cyprus, Algeria, Syria and Turkey and into Iran and even Afghanistan, where many burkas were and still are decorated this way.