Saturday, May 06, 2006

Fattoh and Sons Tentmaker Applique

Just for ya'all I got special permission to post pics on my blog of one of my favorite tentmaker shops. I could have taken so many more pics, there's so much to see, but I had to draw the line somewhere. I did get pics of the four main types of applique designs: traditional, islamic, pharoanic and rural.

This is Fattoh and Sons. I believe it's Hany that is pictured here, proudly showing one of the appliques he made. My friend bought this one - it's a beauty, isn't it. They all are, I know. The work behind his head has lovely detail work - embroidery around the edges of the pieces to give them definition. It's an unusual design as well.

Remember the bird that I showed you that was formed out of arabic letters? The boat with the rowers there in the middle right side is made the same way. The marketplace scene above it is embroidered and painted to give such incredible detail.

This islamic piece in orange and reds with lettering in it is just georgeous and fiery looking. I just love the deep colors in the piece below it.

Some more traditional-style appliques. The top one was just stunning on the wall. Very few colors but very dynamic. There are actually orange butterflies in each of the corners, but I could only tell that by looking closely.

And how about this incredible large work up on the wall with the lattice border? So stunning. Not my colors at all or I'd have been in trouble.

This is a pharoanic design on top - a recreation of the Day of Judgement, a very famous scene recreated in papyrus and on temple walls. The dead person's heart is being weighed against a feather. Look at the recreation of the heiroglyphics. My friend LJC bought one similar to this, but hers has turquoise cobras along the top.

Along the bottom are rural appliques - depictions of musicians and a whirling dervish.

And here's a close-up. Remember Thoth, the ibis-headed god? That's him writing down the results there on the right.


Fattoh and Sons is located at 29 El Khayamia St in case any of you are in Cairo. Their email is hasmo95@hotmail.com - I expect you could work out arrangements with international money orders and Fed Ex to make purchases...

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've finally caught up on your blog today - fantastic tentmaker pictures. Those quilts are simply amazing! I'm loving the booboo quilt too - great idea to do more words in the embroidery threads :-)

Joyce said...

The tentmaker work is totally amazing! How long does it take them to make one of those piece? They look huge and so intricate. How much do they charge for one of those pieces? Now I feel like I just HAVE to go to Egypt.

Finn said...

Thank you Tonya, really great to see more of that amazing work..*VBS*

Anonymous said...

I just love these posts about Cairo and its indigenous handcrafts. Thanks so much for giving us a peek into this part of the world!

Judy said...

I always click to get to the larger pic and then just stare with my mouth open!! I just wonder how long it takes them to make such intricate work?! I know everyone says amazing, but that's really the best word...just amazing.

Oh, thanks for the tip! I called and she was too busy to look but she will try to look later today and call me back. If not, she'll leave a note for the owner to look into it on Monday!?! ARGGG! If it happens , it happens. I'll let you know. Thanks again.

ForestJane said...

You ought to tell these guys about Houston and Paducah, wonder if they'd win anything?

Funny how here, seeing a man doing applique is ... well, out of the ordinary. I can name lots of female quilters and designers, but only 3 men, off the top of my head.

Lily Mulholland said...

Tonya you are such a temptress!!!!! Giving up their details and ideas LOL

Wow that work is amazing. I am drawn to the two-colour smaller pieces to the left of the largest one you've shown us.

What skill, lovely colours and such a lot of work. Very impressive...for men! (hahaha Forestjane!!)

Nah, only kidding. My dad is a painter and decorator and has an amazing eye for colour...

Amazon Alanna said...

What fabulous pieces of art!

Unknown said...

Tonya, as always you bring beauty by words and picture. I enjoy all the history you bring to us and I can't wait to see France thru your eyes...Hugs Tina

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh Tonya - that one your friend bought is lovely. and I love the green/maroon one on his right hanging up! Oh wait, I see you have a better picture of it under the red and yellow one! I LOVE that one! But I"m a green person and I love the dark background! The one showing a lot on the pile in front of it is gorgeous also - oh heck, they all are gorgeous.

Yes, this shop is a beauty and they have gorgeous work. Oh if I were only rich!!!! I LOVE these in their shop!

wow those others you showed were great too! This is a feast for the eyes! How do you restrain youself????!!!!

Wow this shop is wonderful. I think it is a very good thing I can't go there with you!!!!

Laura said...

Tonya these are wonderful. It would be so hard as to where to draw the line on buying all this wonderful stuff. Your furniture, these gorgeous appliques. You are so lucky to have experienced Egypt!

The bad Liz said...

These Islamic designs really have my beady fingers itching to try a bead embroidery piece with an Arabian theme.

Thank you so much for your blog. It's very interesting.

Sassenach said...

Tonya,
Is the patchwork uniformly needle-turn applique? Ever an evidence of reverse applique?

Anonymous said...

How lovely!
What is the typical price of the large appliqed pieces1.5x2m +/- ?

Anonymous said...

Our daughter who lived in Cairo discovered the Goha the Wise Fool book which is illustrated by the Fattoh firm. Get it from Amazon. She also commissioned for our 35th wedding anniversary a felucca applique which contains our names and wedding date. These guys are talented!