Roundels
These roundels are all originally found as circular designs within the chestpiece (qabbeh) or side panels of Bethlehem area dresses or as part of overall designs on the short-sleeved jacket (taqsireh) worn over the dress. I have adapted each design for my own use but all are recognisable when placed next to the originals. They have all been used in my piece 'Talhami Fantasy', which can be seen on the Bethlehem Gallery page, and the pictures below were all taken whilst the work was in progress.
This is adapted from part of a sleeve pattern with sa'at (watches) on a late 19th/early 20th century Bethlehem thob. The original was a 4-way design, rather than 6.
Based on a motif on an early 20th century qabbeh. The original has 5 'petals'.
This comes from a mid-19th century qabbeh which had a 6-way design, here adapted to 8.
Motif from the side panel of a 1930s Beit Sahour dress. The original also has 7 two-colour petals.
A simple motif from the side panel of a mid-19th to early-20th century dress. The original was not enclosed in a circular boundary.
This motif appears repeatedly on a Bethlehem burgundy velvet taqsireh (jacket) from the 1930s. The embroiderer has chosen to make each ring more complex, rather than take the easy path of repeating simple loops.
The flower motif in the centre of this roundel comes from the side panel of the same 1930's Beit Sahour dress. The outer ring is my design.
This is based on a motif on a beautiful dark blue velvet Bethlehem taqsireh made in the late-19th / early- 20th century. The variegated perle thread is one of a range by Stef Francis.
This, and the following roundel, is based on a frequently used motif which appears with variations on many qabbeh.
