A pair of Chechaouen silk embroidered 'star' roundels, Rif Mountains, Morocco

These star roundels, centred by a roundel of different pattern with pendant embroidered cartouches (see lot 73 in this sale), formed the decoration on hangings (arid) which were hung in the bedroom for the marriage ceremony or in reception rooms for celebrations.  Please see Paydar, N.I. & Grammet, I. ed., The Fabric of Moroccan Life, Indianapolis Museum of Art, 2002, Inv. No.2001.377, p.63 for an example from the Eliza M. and Sarah L. Niblack Collection with almost identical design, dated to the 18th century.  Another complete arid with very similar end 'stars', from the Museé des Tissus, Lyons, ascribed to the 17th century, is illustrated on p. 88, in Denamur, Isabelle, Moroccan Textile Embroidery, Paris, 2003.