Mamluk Embroidery

The Mamluk dynasties ruled parts of the Middle East, including Egypt, between 1250CE to 1517CE. Many textiles from this period survive, in part due to the climatic conditions of Egypt, dry and hot, which help to preserve the linen, silk and wool which were used to produce the textiles.

Mamluk embroidery utilizes a number of stitches and techniques, but most are based on counted-work techniques including double-running stitch and pattern darning.

Mathilde's Medieval embroidery page has a great gallery of extant examples of Mamluk embroidery as does Lilinah's Mamluk embroidery page.