Embroidery sampler (chelliga/shelliga)
Unknown Artist
c. 1700s
Medium
Cotton, silk, dye
Dimensions
58.4 × 59.1 cm
Classification
Sampler
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Educational Purchase Fund
Accession Number
1929.831
About this artwork
These detailed samplers demonstrate the artist's technical range. Here, floral designs, protective open-palm hand motifs (khamsa) and various patterns are embroidered using double-running stitches, straight stitches, and long-armed cross stitches with dyed silk thread. Young women from all social classes would learn these skills from a master craftswoman (mu'allima), who taught within her home.