Alsadu, Inc. - Weaving Cultures Together

This 19th century Central Asian hand-embroidered textile would hang on the wall inside a pesron's yurt (nomadic home, built more solid than a tent).

Pronounced, Kazakh tus k 'iz (tus = wall, ki 'iz = felt), this pastoral nomadic hand-embroidered tent wall hanging is approx 42"x80". These pieces are each unique and the bottom is usually unfinished as it would hang behind something or be covered up by a rug. Variety of pieces in collection.

Silk felt, embroidered with silk, trimmed with seeds & chicken feathers . This is an early 20th century Rongshui style ceremonial woman's coat. Silk felt is created by not allowing the silkworm to wrap around itself, keeping it instead on a flat board. Hundreds of silkworms deposit silk on these boards, eventually creating this precious silk felt.

All hand-embroidered silk from the early 20th century , and  approx 24"x100".  Women learn from their mothers at a very young age how to weave and many cloths are woven for family ceremony and for the monks at temples. Each piece unique. Have a variety in collection - please contact us for more information.

All silk from the 19th century  and approximately 60"wide x 37" long (W30" closed).  This sarong came from a Yao tribeswoman from her private collection. These are no longer handwoven. There are other pieces available - please contact us for more information.

This Moroccan silk wedding belt is hand-woven silk, from the 19th century and 15"x208"  This silk wedding belt belonged to a weaving family in Meknes. Moroccan wedding belts continue to be a family tradition.

This is a cover worn by women in the Tekke Turkoman tribe.  It's worn over a Kurta(tunic) and cloaklike to cover head and shoulders. I tusually has long vestigal sleeves hanging down the back, joined by an embroidered band.  This motif is stylized flowers, usually the tulip which is the most prolific wildflower.

This is a 4x4 embroidered Cover Sikh from Punjab, India.  The work is done with silver on velvet.  The scene depicts Guru Nanak flanked by a Hindu student(left) and Moslem student(right).  Nanek was a 15th century religious reformer.  Sikhism attempted to abolish caste and religious differences in India.

This cotton/wool 1850’x Zorastrian design depicts a mother and children dancing around the sun, with the tree of life delicately incorporated as well. The mirrors stitched into it are believed to keep bad luck away.

Vintage camel bag.  Used to carry posessions while on caravan.

Size:  39" wide by 42" tall

Content:  Goad hair, camel hair, sheeps' wool

19th Century tent / wall hanging.  From Afghan refugee project.

Size:  51" wide, the top band is 15" tall, the total height, with the fringe, is 45".

Content:  Wool with vegetable dyes

19th Century tent / wall hanging.  From Afghan refugee project.

Size:  97" wide by 71" tall

Content:  Wool with vegetable dyes

Vintage - originating from Turkistan in the 1850's.  Handwoven by a bride's family from sheep's wool for the wedding procession.

Size:  46-1/2" wide by 29-1/2" tall (including the 4" tassels)

This 19th century Central Asian hand-embroidered textile would hang on the wall inside a pesron's yurt (nomadic home, built more solid than a tent).

The carrier is handspun cotton from the 19th century and sized at 35"x57".  Found working with Burmese refugees living in Thailand. Most women grow their own indigo and according to tradition it is harvested in the summer and the dyeing takes place in the winter. The seasons determine the flow of activities of making garments.

This shawl is made of sheep wool from the 19th century and is 32"x72" in size. This item is a Moroccan piece from Volopulis, and the wool was dyed with all natural plant dyes.

These are handwoven silk from the 19th century.  Partially re-worked skirt hems are now used as decorative table runners. We have a large quantity and many patterns in collection - please contact us for more information.

This is made of sheep wool, is from the 19th century  and approx 4'x6'. Akhnif/Ikanaf were woven by Berber women for their husbands or son as a garment for warmth and for protection against evil eye. The oculus design ("red eye") is specifically woven to ward off evil.

Hand-woven French silk from the 19th century, this caftan is approximately 5 feet. This one is a Royal Family garment embroidered with the royal crown on back, and often was one of the many garments worn on the wedding day.

This cloth is all silk, from the 21st century and 39"x100".  Woven by Burmese refugees living in Thailand. This is a group of older women who make these, whose children have succumbed to AIDS and they are helping the grandchildren to go to school.

Using only vegetable dyes and cotton, this 4x4 (feet) 1850’s temple cloth could have been used as a column wrap or a pillow cover.

This early 20^th century Kente cloth from the High Atlas Berber Tribe is 10 x 8 feet, and was often worn like a Roman toga.  It’s blend of cotton and silk makes it most comfortable if you choose to wear it rather than hang it.

New.  Hand woven in Nepal.  The center motif is the sign of the eternal circle.

Size:  33" wide by 68" tall

Content:  uses vegetable dyes

Turkman, Uzbekistan

Mud dye interior; silk with hand embroidery