The Middle East has long been the home of a multitude of different embroidery styles, which in many cases hav a long history. Many of these forms have been influenced by techniques, motifs and materials from neighbouring lands and continents. Embroidery was widely used for the wardrobe of the Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamun. It was also an important feature of the Byzantine and early Christian courts and religious institutions.
Long cotton panel with a repeating and intricate geometric design in red on a white ground. Fes, Morocco, 20th century (TRC 2022.0956).
Embroidery was, and still is an important aspect of Palestinian dress, but also found throughout the Maghreb, especially in Morocco and Tunisia. Middle Eastern embroidery has had a significant impact on European styles and techniques, and vice versa, European forms, particularly from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, have deeply affected Middle Eastern decoration.
This study day looks at a wide variety of embroidery types associated with the Middle East. It will include urban, village and bedouin items from Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, as well as Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The workshop will look at the history, techniques, and designs associated with this part of the world. During the day, we will also look at developments beyond the Middle East that affected the embroidery in the Middle East, and vice versa.
The lecturer of this workshop is Dr Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, director of the TRC and the editor and principal author of the Encyclopedia of Embroidery from the Arab World (Bloomsbury 2016).
Date: Saturday 6 September 2025. Time: 09.30 (sharp) - 16.00. Location: TRC Leiden, Hogewoerd 164, 2311 HW Leiden, the Netherlands. Lecturer: Gillian Vogelsang. Language: Dutch and/or English. Costs: 85 euros, to be paid at the start of the meeting. Coffee / tea / biscuits are provided (but please bring your own lunch). Max number of participants: 8. Please register in advance: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
