Marriage Canopy

The wedding canopy symbolizes the home established by the couple through their marriage. This beautiful example was dedicated to a member of the donors' family, as attested by the Hebrew inscription: "For my dear daughter, Veneziana/ di Aryeh... 5628 [=1867/68]." The canopy's composition is characteristically Ottoman, with a large motif occupying the center, balanced by smaller decorative elements. Also typical are the deep color of the silk ground and its embroidery with gold threads. Worked areas alternate with voids, thereby allowing the color of the silk to be an integral part of the design and lending a sense of depth to the textile.