Shawl
Shamma
ca. 1860 (made)
ca. 1860 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This Ethiopian shamma (shawl) belonged to Queen Terunesh, or Empress Tiruwork Wube, the second wife of Emperor Tewodros II and the mother of Prince Alemayehu. The Queen died about a month after the 1868 siege of Maqdala (Magdala), while being escorted by the British army to her home province. Her possessions were then sent to England, to the Secretary of State for India, who gave this item to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1869. Items looted during the siege were also given to the Museum.
The shamma is made from white cotton, probably handwoven, with a coloured border. It is an example of a natala, which is a light shawl often worn by women with a kamis (dress).
The shamma is made from white cotton, probably handwoven, with a coloured border. It is an example of a natala, which is a light shawl often worn by women with a kamis (dress).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Shawl |
| Materials and techniques | Cotton. It appears to be handwoven. |
| Brief description | Shamma (shawl), cotton, Ethiopia, about 1860 |
| Physical description | White cotton shamma (shawl) woven with a coloured border of yellow, orange and red. |
| Object history | This Ethiopian shamma (shawl) belonged to Queen Terunesh, or Empress Tiruwork Wube, the second wife of Emperor Tewodros II and the mother of Prince Alemayehu. The Queen died about a month after the 1868 siege of Maqdala (Magdala), while being escorted by the British army to her home province. Her possessions were then sent to England, to the Secretary of State for India, who gave this item to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1869. Items looted during the siege were also given to the Museum. Historic accessions register entry: 'Shawl. Cotton, white, with border of coloured stripes; belonging formerly to the Queen of Abyssinia. Abyssinian. L. 6ft 9in. W. 9ft. / April 28th 1869 / Given by the Secretary of State for India.' See 'Set of Articles of Deceased Queen of Abyssinia' and related correspondence in British Library collections at IOR R/20/AIA/503. Anklets do not appear on this list. |
| Association | |
| Summary | This Ethiopian shamma (shawl) belonged to Queen Terunesh, or Empress Tiruwork Wube, the second wife of Emperor Tewodros II and the mother of Prince Alemayehu. The Queen died about a month after the 1868 siege of Maqdala (Magdala), while being escorted by the British army to her home province. Her possessions were then sent to England, to the Secretary of State for India, who gave this item to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1869. Items looted during the siege were also given to the Museum. The shamma is made from white cotton, probably handwoven, with a coloured border. It is an example of a natala, which is a light shawl often worn by women with a kamis (dress). |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 401-1869 |
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| Record created | January 9, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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