Woman's face mask

NameMask

CultureHarb Tribe (Sunni Bedouin)

Date20th century

Place madeHejaz, Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Asia

MediumCotton, metal beads, leather, silk, bobby pins, paint

Dimensions5 3/16 × 8 1/16 × 11/16 in. (13.2 × 20.5 × 1.8 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Anne Marie Weiss-Armush, A.2018.5.5

Object numberA.2018.5.5

ProvenanceThe donor married a Syrian man and moved to Saudi Arabia in 1976, where she lived for 11 years. During her stay she amassed a large collection of Middle Eastern garments.

DescriptionThis stiff face veil has large rectangular eyeholes divided by a stuffed, vertical ridge. Small silver beads line lower eye area. Metallic beads (hammered flat) form lattice-like patterns. Yellow silk painted with red creates an interest above and below the eyes. There are woven and beaded tassels at lower corners; a metal medallion is attached to upper center ridge. Leather straps go over head and a bobby pin is attached to hold mask in place. There is a black cotton lining.