Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Benaki Museum

First, the San Francisco air port had a display of work by Joseph Frank from Sweden.  I wrote down the date of 1928 for this selection.   Its behind glass, hence the reflection.

We had a morning in Athens before our flight to Hania, Crete so chose to see the Benaki Museum.  This holds a collection of work from Neolithic times onwards and was donated by Antonis Berakis (1873-1954) to the Greek state in 1926.  Lots a examples of fibre and costumery.
I took photos of the descriptions so I'm typing them out for my benefit.

Fragment of a linen tunic band, decorated with a grid pattern of lozenges and medallions with symmetrical motifs.  From Egypt 8-9thC.

 Linen and woolen screen curtain in the loop-weave technique with the representation of a praying couple.  From Antinoe, Egypt 5-6thC.

 Wooden winding frame for preparing hanks of yarn.  19thC.

Spindle whorls of bone.  The painted or carved decorative motifs must have created a particularly pleasing aesthetic effect during the rotation of the whorls.

Wooden spinning wheel.  From the islands.  19C.  For the life of me I can't figure how this works as a spinning wheel but I love the skein winder in the background.


Wood carved loom from Crete early 19th C.  I have the feeling this loom isn't set up properly as the cords to the two shafts seem to be attached to the front beam.  Lovely carving and solid loom.  In the background (rightish of the loom) is a bridal tent.

Tapestry for costume decoration, woven in wool and linen.  It is distinguished for the high quality of the workmanship and the grace of the depicted quail.  5th C.

Part of a woollen bedspread woven with a design of a couple on the tree of life.  From Kritsa, Crete.          18-19th C.

Ladies in costume.  Left:  Bridal costume from Kawakli, NE Thrace.  Middle:  female costume Eastern Thrace.  Right:  Bridal costume of Kapoutzida, central Macedona.

2 comments:

  1. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10210518568667831&set=p.10210518568667831&type=3&theater :)

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  2. Thank you Inamalina. A wonderful image.

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