Sulaym thobe in black with very elaborate handiwork
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe in black with very elaborate handiwork along the hem and sleeves. The decoration comprises rows of multi coloured appliqué, embroidery and metal beading. The Sulaym are related to the Harb, and led a semi-settled life near the Red Sea coast as fishermen, traders and herders. They share the cut of their garments with the Harb. But Sulaym patchwork, quilting and intricate styles of embroidery are distinctive. Nor do they favour blue fabric. Lawrence of Arabia fought in the Arab Revolt in the Hijaz, Jordan and Syria in 1916–18. His abaya, probably woven in Syria, is preserved[...]
Harb thobe in blue with alternating green on the sleeve panels
Harb tribe Harb thobe in blue with alternating green on the sleeve panels, and patchwork on the shoulders. The burqu ' (face mask) is made of yellow silk and the front is embroidered with real pearls. The great oasis in the lava-flows of the northern Hijaz, known as al-Madinah al-Munawwarah or “The Illuminated City”, was the place where the Prophet Muhammad took refuge on his flight from Makkah in AD 622, the date at which the Muslim calendar begins. Here he established the first Muslim community, and here he died in AD 632, having finally succeeded in establishing Islam and[...]
Harb thobe with an embroidered yoke
Harb tribe Harb thobe with an embroidered yoke surrounded by handmade nacre buttons and a patchwork hem. The sleeves are long, always in two colours and triangular in shape. The headdress is decorated with buttons. The great oasis in the lava-flows of the northern Hijaz, known as al-Madinah al-Munawwarah or “The Illuminated City”, was the place where the Prophet Muhammad took refuge on his flight from Makkah in AD 622, the date at which the Muslim calendar begins. Here he established the first Muslim community, and here he died in AD 632, having finally succeeded in establishing Islam and the[...]
Rashaidah thobe with patchwork decoration
Rashaidah Tribe Rashaidah thobe with patchwork decoration on the front, back and the right sleeve. The long burqu' (face mask) is embroidered with silver thread and has a fringe. The mountains of Jabal Shammar shield northern Najd from the sands of the Great Nafud desert. Grazing is good and the area was famed for its Arabian horses. Lady Anne Blunt and her husband Wilfrid came in search of horses when they visited the Amir Ibn Rashid at Hail in 1878–9. The Rashaida tribe of the Hail region have migrated far and wide, to Sudan and Ethiopia. The Hail area is[...]
Rashaidah thobe of multicoloured patchwork
Rashaidah tribe Rashaidah thobe of multicoloured patchwork. The velvet (bukhnuq) headdress has a panel in the back and is embroidered with metal beads in geometric patterns. The mountains of Jabal Shammar shield northern Najd from the sands of the Great Nafud desert. Grazing is good and the area was famed for its Arabian horses. Lady Anne Blunt and her husband Wilfrid came in search of horses when they visited the Amir Ibn Rashid at Hail in 1878–9. The Rashaida tribe of the Hail region have migrated far and wide, to Sudan and Ethiopia. The Hail area is rich in ancient[...]
Najd, Central Region and Eastern Region thobe of fine Indian silk
Najd and Central Region Najd, Central Region and Eastern Region thobe of fine Indian silk embroidered with sequins and gold thread. The sleeves are voluminous and are brought around to cover the head. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd, is a land of desert, escarpment and oases. Traditionally, this region has been populated by nomadic herders and settled farmers. Tribal affiliation is valued and frequently spans the nomad–settler divide. From its capital at al-Dir‘iyyah near Riyadh, the Al Saud dynasty first united central and eastern Arabia in the 18th century, before finally unifying all regions of the Kingdom between 1902 and[...]
Qassim thick wool woman’s aba
Qassim, Northern Region Qassim thick wool woman's aba (cloak) embroidered with gold thread and having elaborate gold thread tassels. This type of aba is for the bride to wear on her wedding night. The mountains of Jabal Shammar shield northern Najd from the sands of the Great Nafud desert. Grazing is good and the area was famed for its Arabian horses. Lady Anne Blunt and her husband Wilfrid came in search of horses when they visited the Amir Ibn Rashid at Hail in 1878–9. The Rashaida tribe of the Hail region have migrated far and wide, to Sudan and Ethiopia.[...]
Najd, Central Region and Eastern Region little girl’s outfit
Najd and Central Region Najd, Central Region and Eastern Region little girl's outfit in pure silk. These thobes were specially commissioned and imported from India. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd, is a land of desert, escarpment and oases. Traditionally, this region has been populated by nomadic herders and settled farmers. Tribal affiliation is valued and frequently spans the nomad–settler divide. From its capital at al-Dir‘iyyah near Riyadh, the Al Saud dynasty first united central and eastern Arabia in the 18th century, before finally unifying all regions of the Kingdom between 1902 and 1932. Building was chiefly of sun-dried mud, freely[...]
Najd and Central Region thobe in chiffon
Najd and Central Region Najd and Central Region thobe in chiffon embroidered with sequins and gold thread. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd, is a land of desert, escarpment and oases. Traditionally, this region has been populated by nomadic herders and settled farmers. Tribal affiliation is valued and frequently spans the nomad–settler divide. From its capital at al-Dir‘iyyah near Riyadh, the Al Saud dynasty first united central and eastern Arabia in the 18th century, before finally unifying all regions of the Kingdom between 1902 and 1932. Building was chiefly of sun-dried mud, freely available and thermally inert, so helping to keep[...]
Najd and Central Region thobe of fine tulle
Najd and Central Region Najd and Central Region thobe made of fine tulle with two silk side panels and multicoloured sequined sleeve borders. The yoke is embroidered with gold and silver threads. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd, is a land of desert, escarpment and oases. Traditionally, this region has been populated by nomadic herders and settled farmers. Tribal affiliation is valued and frequently spans the nomad–settler divide. From its capital at al-Dir‘iyyah near Riyadh, the Al Saud dynasty first united central and eastern Arabia in the 18th century, before finally unifying all regions of the Kingdom between 1902 and 1932.[...]
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe in black with very elaborate handiwork along the hem and sleeves. The decoration comprises rows of multi coloured appliqué, embroidery and metal beading. The Sulaym are[...]
Harb tribe Harb thobe in blue with alternating green on the sleeve panels, and patchwork on the shoulders. The burqu ' (face mask) is made of yellow silk and the[...]
Harb tribe Harb thobe with an embroidered yoke surrounded by handmade nacre buttons and a patchwork hem. The sleeves are long, always in two colours and triangular in shape. The[...]
Rashaidah Tribe Rashaidah thobe with patchwork decoration on the front, back and the right sleeve. The long burqu' (face mask) is embroidered with silver thread and has a fringe. The[...]
Rashaidah tribe Rashaidah thobe of multicoloured patchwork. The velvet (bukhnuq) headdress has a panel in the back and is embroidered with metal beads in geometric patterns. The mountains of Jabal[...]
Najd and Central Region Najd, Central Region and Eastern Region thobe of fine Indian silk embroidered with sequins and gold thread. The sleeves are voluminous and are brought around to[...]
Qassim, Northern Region Qassim thick wool woman's aba (cloak) embroidered with gold thread and having elaborate gold thread tassels. This type of aba is for the bride to wear on[...]
Najd and Central Region Najd, Central Region and Eastern Region little girl's outfit in pure silk. These thobes were specially commissioned and imported from India. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd,[...]
Najd and Central Region Najd and Central Region thobe in chiffon embroidered with sequins and gold thread. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd, is a land of desert, escarpment and oases.[...]
Najd and Central Region Najd and Central Region thobe made of fine tulle with two silk side panels and multicoloured sequined sleeve borders. The yoke is embroidered with gold and[...]
