This beautiful abaya is a recent gift to our collection from Chuck Alawan. It was made for him in 1930 as a baby gift by his father's relatives in Damascus. The abaya is made of hand embroidered silk. A floral border surrounds the edges. On the back of the abaya is the most wonderful design, combining elements from the old and new worlds: the American and Syrian flags, camels, cedar trees, and the recipient's name, "Khalil Alawan" embroidered in Arabic script.

Mr. Alawan remembers being photographed wearing the abaya as a young child, while sitting on a pony.