Jacket

This woman's jacket (taqsireh) is made from red woollen broadcloth (jukh) decorated with silk cord couching (tahriri, meaning 'from Bethlehem') and satin-stitch embroidery. Such garments were inspired by church vestments and by the uniform jackets of official and military personnel. One taqsireh specialist used to sit behind a church official, memorizing the pattern on his clothing, and then rush home to copy it.Jackets such as this were decorated by professional female embroiderers, and sold throughout the hills of southern Palestine for wearing on special occasions. During the British Mandate period (1918-48), when people had more money, they were made from velvet and decorated with gilt cord couching.