Shatweh, c.19th century
The shatweh was an essential part of a wedding costume and would have been worn with a festive veil. It was only worn by married women and widows around the Jerusalem and Bethlehem area. The bride’s father was responsible for providing the headdress which was adorned with multiple rows of coins, symbolising the wearer’s affluence.
The shatweh is made of padded and stiffened layers of embroidered vibrant red broadcloth and linen and is held in place by an iznaq (chin chain), attached on both sides. It was common for villagers to adorn themselves with modest iznaqs featuring either single or double chains. However in Bethlehem and the surrounding villages, the iznaq included several chains and other intricate embellishments.
The headdress is likely to have been bought by Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes during their trip to Palestine.
