WEARABLE HERITAGE

Mirrors

 

Mirrors deflect evil and scare away the Evil Eye when it is confronted with its own image. For this reason, mirrors are sometimes used in the decoration of textiles, as protection. This decorative style is most frequently found in the Asian region. It is found mostly in West Asia as an influence from Pakistan and India. Mirrorwork or shishadur is a very old decorative technique.

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This technique was most likely developed in the era during or after the Persian Empire from other applique work popular in that region. Initially it seems no mirrors were used, but mica, stones and even shields of beetles to decorate cloth. After 1500 CE mirrors were introduced and the real shishadur came into being. To the left are some examples of shishadur in small bags and a veil.

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The style of this face veil can be traced to India. At the end of the ancient trade routes through Central Asia, this influence from India spread and remained for instance with the Nabataen traders of the city of Petra, in the area that is now Jordan.