2-791-481 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Top of the Parasol, 1844. One of the 'trophies taken by the French army from the Moors, consisting of the Tent of the eldest son of the Emperor [Muhammad IV of Morocco], and the Parasol of the Emperor [Abd al-Rahman] himself'. It was displayed in Paris. 'The Parasol (el d'Alala), which was planted in front of the tent, was seized by the French soldiers from the midst of the black troops...It is round in shape, and is supported by a large handle of pine wood...The top of it is amaranth coloured silk, with embroideries in silver gilt, which are admirable both for their elegance and correctness of design; they are arabesques of flowers, remarkable for their lightness and boldness; the inside is green silk, with flowers of gold. The ribs...are of gilded wood; the parasol is surmounted by a ball of gilt silver...' From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol I.