Head Decoration - Maan-Jordan - Gallery

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Head Decoration - Maan-Jordan

Posted by Peter Hoesli on March 31, 2015 at 10:48am

Maan is a city on the Hijaz Railway track, close to Wadi Mousa/Petra and the border of Saudi Arabia. Hence, during old days, the Hijaz Railway which was built by the Ottomans in cooperation with the Imperial Court of Germany, would go from Damascus through Jordan and Palestine (including Bersheeba, etc.) via Maan to Medina. Laurence of Arabia assisted then the Bedouins to blow up the railway in many locations, mainly Saudi Arabia, starting the Arab revolt. Until today, Maan is a station for pilgrims to and from Medina and Mecca. In old days, the Hijaz railway would stop in Maan and there was quite a lot of exchange of jewelry, textiles, etc.. Therefore, this particular piece was made with silk and coins from various origins. An extremely rare piece indeed.Maan was also known for their fabulous Maan cushions. Nowadays these cushions are extremely rare but I was able to grab 5 units from a Jerusalem collection. The others went to museums all around the world. Below is a photo of such cushions. One has to imagine that these cushions are over 100 years old but feature a quite modern design. The silk is so strong that today these cushions are still looking almost new. For those who know today's Maan, the fact that they used to produce such special patterns comes quite as a surprise. Well, it did at least for me...

Comments

Peter Hoesli March 31, 2015 at 11:07am

Below is a photo of the Maan cushions. These are not mine but the ones from Mrs Widad Kawar's collection, displayed at her center in Amman. Mine are however, very similar in design. Very special indeed and very hard to come by.
ait ouakli March 31, 2015 at 11:38am

Dear Peter

you are KILLING me with this all beauties. i thaud, women are the most creatures on the world, now you are making me confused with the treaszrs you ar posting :-)
ingrid Langerak March 31, 2015 at 2:40pm

Ait what a lovely comment you are making. Trying to get int the ladies good book?? Gr. Ingrid.
ingrid Langerak March 31, 2015 at 2:43pm

Peter, what a beautiful pieces of clothing and cushions. Lovely colors and so well preserved. Is it woven and embroidered? Wool and silk and silk combinations? Gr. Ingrid
Peter Hoesli March 31, 2015 at 2:49pm

Dear Ingrid; Many thanks for your comments. No, this is all silk and silk embroidered. Some of the cushions are featuring a cotton liner at the back and sometimes, this liner is also silk. The orange/yellow silk comes in different colors and patterns (you can see different patterns on the dresses). To my knowledge this silk was produced in Syria. Here in Jordan, we call it the Syrian Saya. At my resort at the Dead Sea, we are having Saya slippers as bedroom slippers in our guest rooms. While over 10 years ago, we imported the fabric from Syria, our slippers are now produced in China like most of the things... With kind regards. Peter
Chantal March 31, 2015 at 4:33pm

What a splendid piece Peter and the very interesting comments going with it.. I knew Maan, courtesy of the Seven Pillars but had never heard of the superb cushions...Well done to you again for showing them to us and for acquiring such rare objects.
Alaa eddine SAGID April 2, 2015 at 9:32pm

I am falling in love with these pillows. i always bring a couple flat cushions from my travel to throw on my sofa and a couple of these would make great companions to the ones i already own (suzani embroidered, egyptian patchwork...) The patterns are totally modern yet so soulful and likely hiding some secret meaning from time gone!!

I am ahving a weakness for the multicouloured one!! Good for you you could get some of these and too bad the locals lost the trade to...China!

As for the headband, it does fit very well into the broad women DIY jewelry such as the veils and necklaces, patiently sewn and stitched with the tidbits these women could afford and find.

BTW could it be possible that the picture is upside down, the tassels with amber like beads should be framing the face, shouldn't they?

I am also intrigued by the "kirdan" part being stitched on the headband. i recently came to discover that these particular necklaces were quite commonly used as head ornaments in the region.

Thanx for your wonderful input in this forum!
Lynn Ardent April 3, 2015 at 3:07am

I really love this head ornament. I keep coming back to it because of the superb composition: the colors, the dimensions, the mix of dangling vs. fixed elements, the layering of the different coins... just wonderful! Congratulations Peter!!