Mirrors

Mirrors reflect evil and scare away the Evil Eye when it is confronted with its own reflection. For this reason mirrors are 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. This technique was most likely developed in the era after the Persian empire from other applique work popular in that region. Initially no mirrors were used, but mica, stones and even shields of beatles. Only afther 1500 were the mirrors introduced and came the real Shishadur into being.

Below some examples of Shishadur in kohl containers, small bags and even veils.

The picture of the veil on a donkey was taken in Petra, Jordan, where the local women also wear this kind of face veil. The style can be traced to the Turkmenistan area and on route to India. At the end of the ancient trade routes through Central Asia, this influence from India spread and remained with the Nabataen traders of the city of Petra, in the area that is now Jordan.