Soutra eightfold necklace

Soutra means ‘curtain’ in Arabic. Here, the curtain is an intricate wooden lattice that screens off the ‘Dome of the Women’ in the complex of Ibn Barquq. The art of creating big screens of minute wooden pieces was mastered in Egypt where timber was always scarce and expensive. Even in a royal establishment like this one, economy was never neglected. The same is true of the design, which follows a deceptively simple geometrical network resulting in a mind-bogglingly complex ornament.

About MISHKA Handcrafts: MISHKĀ in Arabic means lantern. The ten-pointed star logo is one continuous line that—like all MISHKĀ designs—is inspired by architectural masterpieces that Sultan Qaitbey built in this historic neighborhood in the heart of Cairo. With training, tools and support we strive to bring the women of the district the direct benefits of their work. This way, they build a better life for themselves and their families while also regenerating the entire district in which they live.

MISHKĀ stands for beautiful objects that are handcrafted using traditional techniques and the finest natural materials among Cairo’s historic Mamluk monuments in the ‘City of the Dead’.