Three pieces (parts a-c) of finely woven, gauze cotton of different lengths and widths. Each piece has panels of embroidery in white and green, with diamond-shaped and floral motifs in yellow, pink, blue and red. Part ‘a’ is very long and thin, with an embroidered panel at each end and two near midpoint. Part ‘b’ is shorter and wider, made of two pieces of white cotton delicately sewn together in a long centre seam. Panels at each end. Part ‘c’ is the smallest and roughly square, with a single panel at one end.

• History Of Use

  Netela scarf, or shawl, for wrapping around the upper body. The cloth is traditionally woven by men; worn mainly by women, with a matching dress. Different religious and ethnic groups wear the netela differently. Amongst Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, the netela is worn as everyday wear as well as at church, on public holidays, at weddings and funerals. Muslim Ethiopians wear the netela only at weddings and funerals. Different folding and wrapping techniques indicate which occasion is being observed.

• Specific Techniques

  Like other Ethiopian shawls, the netela has historically been woven on a horizontal pit loom, usually by two male weavers at once. The colourful weft borders and embroidery are known as tibeb.

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• Type of Item scarf
• Culture Amhara
• Material cotton fibre, dye
• Measurements height 76.0 cm, width 350.0 cm (part a) height 155.0 cm, width 214.0 cm (part b) height 73.0 cm, width 78.0 cm (part c)

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• Previous Owner Edward Harvey, Lorna Marsden
• Received from Edward Harvey, Lorna Marsden

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• Made in Ethiopia

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• Creation Date before 1971
• Ownership Date before July 15, 2016
• Acquisition Date on July 15, 2016

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• Item Classes textiles
• Condition good
• Accession Number 3188/0011 a-c