Another museum beauty in near mint condition--look at this beauty--photos speak for themselves! Shown in Semitic Museum of Harvard and Islamic Museum in Jerusalem in the 1980's. Circa 1950's. Authenticity Guaranteed! This is a beautiful rare museum piece from my collection.  This one given to me by my Jerusalemite Grandma, and she had it in her possesion since the 1950's.

Gaily colored dress from Hebron; classic "Khalili" dress, thoba Habar, or Thoba Malas takes its name from the soft cloth from which it is made. The fabric is a combination of silk and cotton usually dyed black and carries a nice sheen--also known as "Sateen".

If a Palestinian dress is synthetic, then know it's NOT authentic!  The cross-stitch hand-embroidery is in classic rose branch, "Irq El Ward", and branch of leaves, " Irq el Waraq", patterns.  The flower patterns are reminiscnet of Hebron where they represent the vineyards of the area as are the beautiful birds.  Beautiful butterfly sleeves.  Note how the satin material on the right sleeve is sewn inside out!  This is done on purpose so that the Bedouin woman who will wear this dress can fold the sleeve upward when she's working--as shown.  When she's working in the market, she wants to protect the sleeve so she folds it up, but she also wants the shiny side of the satin to show, so the sleeve is sewn inside out!  Just an anthropological insight from one who has lived with Bedouins!

Mint never worn, except a few barely seen scuffs at front sateen. sateen is strong and luscious as is all the embroidery. Even all the hems are hand sewn and embroidered. Nice extra added liner reinforcement at back bottom hem as shown in floral cotton. No machine used here! Incredible embroidery which took many months to complete.

Last 2 pictures taken from a classical book about Palestinian dresses depicting a similar dress. My pieces are authentic "Palestinian" dresses. I have been collecting my whole life along with my mother. Many of my dresses were shown in museums in the 1980's. I'm considered a small collector of Palestinian dresses in this circle of collectors, but one of very few collectors indeed; so what you buy from me, is a museum piece!