Sunday, August 19, 2012

A Weekend in Cairo, Part 3: The Best for Last


As promised and back by popular demand, more work by the Tentmakers of Cairo.
                   To begin, here’s an amateur video of a Tentmaker working: 
                               note the enviable speed of the hand movement.
Shopping is not high on my list of pleasures or priorities, and admittedly, I don’t need more quilts, however, I went to the Tentmakers’ Street looking for just one beautiful piece to remember my Cairo visit. I wanted a worthy souvenir. 
The colors of this bed-sized medallion caught my eye, so I nudged my husband sharply in the ribs, gestured toward it as discreetly as possible while he tried to recover his breath, then left the shop so he could haggle for it.
            A similar piece as a wall-hanging (not in my possession, unfortunately).
                            Another bed-sized appliqué of the same design, 
            slightly different arrangement of colors (not in my possession, sigh).
                          This intricate star is breath-taking (also not mine, alas).
And THE best for last: A picture of the following wall-hanging, which I took on my first visit to the Tentmakers’ Street, made me gasp. Tucked in among so many other beautiful pieces, its full splendor was not immediately apparent to me.
                   So on my second visit to the Tentmakers’ Street two days later, 
                    I hunted it down and broke my own rule of only one purchase. 
                        It is now the center of attention in my dining/living room.
                And for all those who have completed the month of Ramadan, 
                I wish you "Aïdakoum Mabrouk" and a happy Aïd celebration.

32 comments:

Rachaeldaisy said...

I didn't know about the tent makers of Cairo until reading your posts. Their work is breathtaking!! I love the pieces you chose.

Yvette said...

I'm so happy I found your blog...I started reading it from the first post as if it's a novel. Although not finished reading...wow
what a great woman you are...

CREATIVE KHADIJA said...

What a lovely colorful post Nadia..really interesting & so beautiful :)
Eid mubarak to you..
in Pakistan, Eid will be tomorrow..I am in fasting right now :)
Have a great Eid Day!!

rtquilter said...

Wow,Nadia! This stuff is SO very spectacular. It make North American life look very blah! Thanks for such a beautiful visual tour.

Ms. said...

Part three a third joy! The BEST was the last. I have sent this link off to my Egyptian friend...I'm returning from the woods of Massachusetts earlier than expected and will be back on my own blog late tomorrow night. Happy dining in the shadow of the lovely new wall hanging...
Michelle

Anonymous said...

Tu as eu l'oeil pour choisir les plus beaux !! La première photo du panneau ne m'a pas enthousiasmée, mais une fois accrochée chez toi... Wouah, quelle puissance décorative !

Stitching Upstairs said...

Thanks so much for posting these wonderful images. Somehow during my time in Egypt, many years ago, I missed the tent makers. Evidently my Egyptian son-in-law didn't know about my love of textiles (at that time).

I am very curious about the lovely chandelier over the table. Is that by any chance crocheted?

Sujata Shah said...

That is stunning!
What a treat it is to have such an artwork in your home! I am so sad that I will be missing the next week's show. Although, I have had a great time looking at all the pictures and have a virtual tour.

deanna7trees said...

i remember enjoying your last post on the tentmakers as well. great purchase. i love seeing its reflection in the last image. beautiful.

O'Quilts said...

WOW...it is all wonderful and the piece over your dining room table is just so you. Reminds me of your mosaic pots that you make. What a wonderful time you had and sharing with us.

Unknown said...

Such stunning work!! I love the bedspread...it is my favorite of all those you showed! Your wall hanging is my second fav...love it with the caret...perfect.

You are so lucky to be right there so you can study each and everyone to decide which will be the lovely chosen one...plus you get to see them being made...the best! Thanks for the share.

Nifty Quilts said...

Congratulations! It looks stunning in your dining room.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Wow, what amazing souvenirs of your trip! They have such a good sense of color in addtion to their wonderful workmanship. Maybe when I get as fast as the man in the video I will do applique too.

Cate Rose said...

OMG these are SO beautiful. Kudos for buying yourself a couple of really worthy art pieces (instead of trinkets). Use them in good health!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Amazingly beautiful work, Nadia. Thank you so much for sharing.

Michelle said...

Rules are made to be broken (sometimes) -- and that was definitely one of those times! They are SO gorgeous.

Nancy said...

Nadia~ These are stunning! Sometimes a pair of gorgeous memories art are just right. Enjoy!

shirley said...

Oh Nadia, I missed the first post on these I cant believe how stunning they are. And how lucky are you to own examples of the tentmakers work

Roxanne said...

That's quite a treasure. It's definitely a focal point in your room.

American Homestead said...

Gorgeous!

Gina said...

Your two choices are stunning! I'm not usually a medallian fan but you just converted me!

Norma Schlager said...

Absolutely beautiful! It looks fabulous in your dining room. Did you get the bed quilt, too.

Merilyn said...

What a wonderful wall-hanging!!! I can't believe the speed of that man's stitching, mind-boggling!!!
Thankyou for sharing all those amazing pieces of fabric artwork, truly amazing work!!!!

Suspinz: Dabbler in Many Things said...

Absolutely breathtaking pieces! I love the reflection of your wall hanging on the dining room table, too.

The video didn't show up here on my screen. I can't get mine to appear on blogspot, either. Once or twice they did, but loaded extremely slowly. Now ... nothing. Too bad; I'd like to have seen yours.

Thanks for the show! Cheers!

Patty Ashworth said...

OOoooooh, AAAAaaaaah!!! Wow, and WOW! Eye candy! Just wonderful! Drooling on the keyboard....

Radka said...

Wow, what beauties! I have never seen anything like it. You chose well:-)
Fast stitching, I wish I could stitch so fast!

Sarah said...

Your two purchases are stunning! so interesting reading about the tentmakers of Cairo. Thanks for sharing and bringing such wonderful colour to the day!!

blandina said...

A friend of mine lived in Cairo many years, she has a beautiful piece but was unable to tell me what was its origin. The pieces you are showing are stunning, I wish I could visit these tentmakers and look at them while they are working. And learn!

Nat Palaskas said...

Nadia, these quilts are gorgeous. I knew of the tentmakers when I was there, but they were overwhelm when you see them by million! I love your chosen one!
Congrats completing the Ramadan month. Happy Aid...

Carole Reid said...

Wow, the speed of his stitches are mind boggling! Your decision to break the rule will always please you. xo Carole

JennyPennyPoppy said...

What stunning quilts the Tentmakers make and the piece you purchased is fabulous!

Emma said...

These pieces are fantastic, certainly the center of attention - picks up the blue of the glass & rug beautifully. Does that clever man never get knots?