United States or Cayman Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The Arab dictionary of Freytag confirms M. Duveyrier's etymology, the author thus describing Ghadames "Nomen oppidi in Africa, unde pelles gudsamiticae appellatae sunt." Whatever its origin, we find the fabrication of these guadamaciles very flourishing at Cordova in the sixteenth century.
The guadamaciles, although leather-work was fabricated in several cities of France, also of Italy and Belgium, ever remained a speciality of Spain, Seville, Barcelona, Lerida, Ciudad-Real, and Valladolid bearing the palm after Cordova. Such works are characterized by elaborateness, splendour of colour and richness of detail.
As good luck would have it, immediately after my visit to Ferrieres, I happened to hear of the Baron Davillier's learned little treatise on this ancient leather-work, or Guadamaciles, variously called cuir d'or, cuirs dores, cuirs basanes, &c. The history of these artistic varieties is so curious, that I will give it in as few words as possible.
Word Of The Day