I went shopping today - yippee. Remember at the end of April how I showed you a picture of one of my Akhmim embroideries? If you've forgotten, you can go here. Well I went to the shop again. I'm disappointed in how the pics turned out - rather dark. But trust me, these are beautiful, tho it helps to have an appreciation for naive work/folk art.Most of the work is pretty representational of life in Egypt. Lots of palm trees and occasionally camels. But I love the castle wall with the swans in the river. Doesn't look like Egypt to me.
This pic turned out awful. Those are orange trees in the one on the left and I think a date palm harvest on the right:
A river running through the fields, kids playing:
And this is the one I bought today. I've actually been admiring it for a couple of years. Decided it was still there so it must be mine. It's called "Le Danse du Cheval" or "Horse's Dance." It's so lively and fun and I love how it's on point.
Here are the musicians playing. Everyone is wearing galabiyas, the traditional garment.
I love this detail. Here are houses and palm trees and at the top is a pigeon house.
These (clay? mud?) constructions are all over Egypt, but we especially saw a lot of them up in the north. Pigeons are raised here to be food, but unfortunately avian flu hit and the flocks have been destroyed (or hidden in people's homes). Pigeon is a common item on Egyptian menus, not that I've asked if it's available now.
But not the birds in this embroidery. They're pets, darn it.
Now I'm going to have to get this to the framer's, along with some other bits and pieces I've accumulated.
My sweetie is late getting home from work today. He had to take the metro because the car is getting work done AGAIN. The car will be 9 yrs old in August and boy is it cranky.
16 comments:
Love your final choice Tonya - see what you mean about the one with the swans - looks like the Great Wall of China to me :o)
Ohhh, how fabulous!! Perfect one to pick and the fact that it is on point is just...well, perfect! Great choice!
I can't wait to see what fabulous pictures we get from France!!
SO far I have loved seeing Egypt!
Oh Tonya! These are wonderful! I Love the ones with the all the trees and the one with the children playing. I think I like all those green! They are so amazing. It makes me wish I could see them in real life. I don't know how you control yourself! My house would be packed with "stuff" and I'd want to hang it all up! And it would be very ecleptic (ok that isn't spelled right is it?)
Back to work and hopefully your email! Darn these days where work gets in the way!
A really great choice Tonya, and if it was still there having seen it over time, I'd say it was meant for you!!
The detail is just incredible..gotta love all that thread and stitching. Are you working on any new crusties??*VBG*
These are wonderful, Tonya! How great that you were able to purchase the one you had been considering.
I particularly like the orange and date palm harvest pieces. I've never seen such embroideries before. Are these popular in the area overall or are they specific to this shop? (I am hyperventilating.)
The houses are wonky! How cool. and I love the textures that the fields and trees create on the fabric. Glad you could get the one you had your eye on for some time.
I love the pidgeon house. Or would that be pidg-cote? Anyway, glad you took a few years to decide on this one - that way you're really, really, really sure! Great purchase. Are you having it framed square or on point? Interesting...
Beautiful, Tonya. Don't blame you for deciding this one was meant to be yours. Took you long enough! hehe.
I like the beads, too. Gorgeous colors there.
I love the one you picked. Great colors. Must be hard to make a decision with so many great works to chose from.Your house must be starting to look like an art gallery, between your art and purchased art.
Tried to leave a comment a couple of times yesterday but Blogger was being all cranky and wouldn't let me so will try today. Wanted to say I LOVE the one you chose--actually all were pretty. Hard decision. Can't wait to see it framed. Also wanted to thank you for all the pix you share of Egypt. Would love to visit there someday but for now living vicariously LOL. You have certainly made the most of living in a foreign country--that is GREAT.
This piece would probably have been my favorit too. Love the colors...and the setting...and just the overall mood.
thanks for sharing the luscious embroidery pieces! I like yours the best- that angle setting, and the excitement in the piece, are fantastic!
They are all gorgeous but I especially like the one you chose, the pigeons are fantastic, of course it is a bird thing with me!
Wow! I really love these tapestries, especially the one that depicts musicians:) Where do you get them?
lovely, lovely work..thanks for sharing even if they were not the greatest photos..still enough to appreciate the fine workmanship and colors used. Glad you were able to buy a piece you have long enjoyed-another physical memory of your time in Egypt to enjoy in your next home.
I found you through Lulusbay blog...I'm also a quilter and I collect embroidered pieces, most from Mexico and South America. Every time I buy one when hubby asks how much I always say....You don't want to know. I will try to post my last purchase on my blog this week.I will be in Cairo next month and I hope I find some treasures. Your pieces are beautiful....If you are interested in one from Mexico I know the woman who makes them, she lives here in Austin, she came from rural Mexico and she sells them to supplement her income. They start at $75.00 Dlls. up to $350.00. Your log cabins quilt are very nice. Maybe my next one will be a log cabin. I even have the paper foundation. Sorry this is so long. Au revoir (I lived in Paris when I was 21 yrs. old)
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