Name of Object:

Toiletries

Location:

Tunis, Tunisia

Holding Institution:

Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires

 About Higher Institute for the Study of Contemporary History of Tunisia, University of Manouba, Tunis

Date of Object:

19th–20th century

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Silver plated metal

Description:

In the 19th century the wealthy families of Tunis invented the notion of the knastrou l'aroussa (marriage basket) as a mark of their wealth. Made of engraved or watermarked silver, this basket would contain various toiletries for the bride: a perfume sprinkler (mrach), a khol phial with applicator for the eyes (mokhala), a round or rectangular-framed mirror with engraved floral motifs, and a knife and plate for henna. A pair of clogs (qobqabs) made of wood and covered in silver worn by the bride. As a traditional bath (hammam) was the bride's first event on her wedding day, all her toiletries were set out ready for her, with a series of tools for exfoliation, depilation, application of a clay face mask, and more.

[sh_db_typeof_object]

Silver

Citation of this web page:

Saloua Khadhar Zangar "Toiletries " in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;tn;19;en

Prepared by: Saloua Khadhar Zangar
Translation by: Flaminia Baldwin

MWNF Working Number: TN 019