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PIllow sham
Attributed to: Demoz Gelu (Ethiopian, 20th century)
Ethiopian
1990–2012
Object Place: Israel
Medium/Technique
Cotton plain weave and twill, acrylic embroidery
Dimensions
Length x width: 35.6 x 40.6 cm (14 x 16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Judith Manelis
Accession Number2012.836
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsContemporary Art, Africa and Oceania, Judaica, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsTextiles
DescriptionSquare, embroidered pillow sham with pictorial representation of crowned figure, probably King David, playing a stringed instrument or harp. Attendant stands behind him and a crowd of male figures in clergy robes stand at right of composition. The surface is completely covered with lines of chain stitched embroidery in brightly colored acrylic threads in purple, red, yellow, blue, and brown. Reverse is solid black material with split in middle to insert pillow, where a twill tape label is sewn.
InscriptionsEmbroidered in chain stitch in black acrylic thread on white cotton twill tape sewn inside:
DEMOZ GELU
DEMOZ GELU
ProvenanceMid-1990s, given by the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry to Judith Manelis, Lexington, MA; 2012, gift of Judith Manelis to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 24, 2012)