The Tentmakers of Cairo create spectacular cotton-on-canvas appliqués known as khayamiya. Their breathtaking urban pavilions connect the splendor of the Fatimids and Mamluks, the cut-outs of Henri Matisse, and the souvenirs of world wars. Though some know the Tentmakers as the “rock stars of the quilt world,” their history survives through the legacies of American tourists and art collectors. Blending illustrations and real examples, this presentation surveys historic and contemporary khayamiya so that new examples may be discovered.

This piece has a central figure is a bird (falcon?) with wings outspread. The pieces often depict stories or animal figures as well as intricate geometric designs.

Techniques: hand appliqued
Culture: Egyptian
Geographic Location: North East Africa, Egypt
Credit Line: Gift of Laura Blake