Vintage Moroccan handira, a traditional wedding blanket from the Atlas mountains. My mother lives in Morocco and bought this outside of Marrakesh. Handiras are traditionally made by the family of the bride and presented to her in a gathering of women where she is prepared for the ceremony. Part of the rituals include putting olive oil in the bride's hair and adding elaborate henna patterns to her hands and feet. After the formal ceremony, the blanket is used on the matrimonial bed.

This blanket is woven wool with with cotton fringe and shiny chromed metal disks; the sound of the metal disks tinkling was meant to ward off evil spirits. The reverse side of the blanket shows the colored woven cotton tapes to which the long tufting was attached.

Measures 54 inches wide, 79 inches long, plus 11 inches of fringe on one short end, 6 inches of fringe on the opposite short end.

This blanket is vintage (not a new reproduction), so you can expect minor variations in the weave and color. There are areas of henna staining, especially at the long edges where the blanket would have been handled. Within the fringe, there are a few areas of losses and a small tear on one long side. There is a little bit of loss to the chromed finish of some of the metal disks. This is a good thing--metal disks were used on older handiras, plastic disks are often used on newer pieces.

Give this a good shake when it arrives to re-fluff the fringe!