Moroccan woman’s outfit
First half of the 20th century
The red fabric of the tunic and the silk embroidery on its front and sleeves distinguished Jewish women’s dress in the Tafilalet region. The women would wrap a fabric over their tunic and fasten it with pins. The distinctive head covering of married women, the grun (“horns”), was an elaborate construction demanding much expertise to fit and adjust. On the eighth day of wedding celebrations, a married woman would put the grun on the new bride, who would thereafter do it herself every morning. It was believed that this head covering would ensure her a long and happy marriage.
Juhasz, Esther (ed.), The Jewish Wardrobe from the Collection of The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 5 Continents Editions, Milan and The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 2012
Dress Codes: Revealing the Jewish Wardrobe, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Bella and Harry Wexner Gallery, 11/03/2014 - 07/03/2015
Digital presentation of this object was made possible by: The Ridgefield Foundation, New York, in memory of Henry J. and Erna D. Leir