Persian Textiles
Curated by: Miya
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Persian textiles: An innovation of many forms
Persian textiles were at first a way for the Persians to survive cold winters, but it slowly turned into an art form that helped them advance their creativity and trade. Persian textiles were created using many different methods, ranging from simpler techniques like loom weaving, to very strategic methods like the lampas technique. Despite the range of difficulty in these techniques, they both would be very time consuming due to the intricacy of the fabric and its patterns. The Persians made many different patterns varying over many time periods. They also had very well rounded art due to the textile trade.
Persian textiles: First impact-Creative art
This is an example of a Sassanian era textile piece. It depicts an animal scene with two horses, showing us this eras love for animal scenes.
Time Periods
Time Periods
Textiles varied between multiple time periods in Persia. Starting with the first and largest Persian empire, the Achaemenid. This was a very early time period for textile art, so the textiles include simple patterns like plaid lines, striped patterns, motifs of shapes, repeating patterns, and more. In the Sassanian era, trade helped advance the textiles into more detailed scenic patterns, like animals and hunting scences. In the last eras of this time period, the Timurid and Safavid, are known for floral and arabesque patterns.
Techniques
Techniques
Various techniques were used throughout the different eras of Persia. During the first developments of textiles, they used techniques like plain, card, and twill weaving. As time went on, trade helped the Persians use advanced patterns such as the the lampas technique. The Persians were also known to use symmetrical and asymmetrical knotting.
Repeating design from the 8th-9th century, featuring floral and bird patterns.
Textile from the late 15th century displaying floral patterns.
Uses
Uses
Uses of Persian textiles vary from era to era. They were first used to cover the floor during cold, wet winters, but they slowly started being used for more. They would be used for clothing and wrappings at first but slowly, as the industry grew, they were used the represent wealth and as its own type of art.
How it Helped
How it Helped
The growth of creative art helped the Persians have a strong sense of cultural identity, a strong economy, and a high social status.
Textile from the 8th century showing colorful patterns.
Persian textiles: Second impact- Trade
Textile from the late 16th century displaying various animals.
Trade Partners
Trade Partners
In ancient Persia, the Persians traded with civilizations like Mespotamia, Anatolia, Central Asia, and more. During early trade these civilizations were traded with due to borders. However, as time went on trade expanded to the silk road helping textiles reach more nations.
Goods
Goods
The main goods traded helped the textile industry grow. For example, they traded for wool, cloth and other materials to sew. With these materials they managed to create textiles and gain skills. They also traded for skills, which helped them expand on the creation of textiles as well. This helped the Persians eventually start trading the textiles they made for other goods.
Textile from the 7th century displaying a boar head repeating pattern.
Textile from the 10th-11th century appearing to have a huntng pattern.
How it Helped
How it Helped
Trade is a major part of any empire. It helps them share culture and spread their own, causing advancements. Trading of knowledge and materials helped them create more clothing, which gave the Persians a sense of luxury and pride in where they lived. The variety helped Persians have a better quality of life. Not only this, but trading so frequently helped the Persians have better designs, causing them to have a high economic status, and helped them participate in better markets outside of their local area.
Websites
Textile as Art
Textile as Art
Expand your knowledge of Persian design with textiles from various eras
Persian Rug History
Persian Rug History
Enjoy in-depth studies of Persian textiles through many ages
The Metropolitan Museum
The Metropolitan Museum
Explore many different types of Persain textiles from vastly different eras
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