Nadine Mustafa Kahhal Looms reveal a capsule collection in collaboration with Louis Barthélemy, set to take one on a journey where ancient history collides with modern art.
History is brought to life with this collection to celebrate 100 years, since the ultimate discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, the first unimpaired and whole royal tomb in modern times. Now celebrated a century later, the tomb’s finding at the Valley of the Kings, Upper Egypt, has commuted archaeologist’s visions.
In honor of this historical milestone, Kahhal Looms collaborates with, Louis Barthélemy, to pay tribute to the ancient Egyptian king, in an abstraction of handmade rugs and tapestries currently showcased at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. The first preview of the capsule collection was unveiled at Kahhal Looms’ store opening event, ‘A Night of Weaving Eternity’, the first event to ever take place inside the globally anticipatedGrand Egyptian Museum, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Kahhal Looms constantly weave their legacy by modernizing and reconstructing their ancient heritage inspired designs. Together with Barthélemythey revisit the tremendous antiquity of Tutankhamun‘s ultimate discovery through the depiction of geometric compositions on rugs, where spiral curves eventually combine with abstract linear designs, taking each observer on a color and optical illusions excursion.
The collection comprises of two unique rugs and two distinctive tapestries handmade to portray Tutankhamun’s allegorical mask, which is one of the most prominent findings in archeology. Tutankhamun’s emblematic mask must be the most viewed Pharaoh mask of all times, ubiquitous in Egyptian iconography and engraved on the one-pound coin. With its gold stripes inlaid with colored glass and gemstones including lapis lazuli, this symbolic treasure served as the ultimate inspiration for the creation of the masterpieces.
The designs are creatively brought to life in two constructive colorways to symbolically celebrate the natural and repetitive cycle of day and night in one’s daily life. The “Radiating Masks” rugs and “Swirling Legacy” tapestries are enhanced in the blue casts with a tinge of ivory to reminisce the nights of ancient Egypt. Contrary to the dark nights, the sunny and bright atmosphere is amplified, by using a contrast of yellow insinuated with soft pink. These warm colors evoke the radiant daylight of modern and ancient Egyptian days.
