Textiles of the Middle East and Central Asia

From the intricate embroidery on a Palestinian wedding dress to the complex iconography on an Afghan war rug, textiles reflect the beliefs, practices and experiences of people from across the Middle East and Central Asia. This book explores the significance and beauty of textiles from across this vast area, and is arranged thematically to enable cross-regional comparisons of the function and symbolic meaning of textiles. Each chapter relates to a facet or phase of a person's life in which textiles feature prominently: childhood, marriage and ceremony, status and identity, religion and belief, and house and homestead. The book also includes contemporary works that grapple with modern political issues.

The textiles featured include men's, women's and children's garments, hats and headdresses, mosque curtains and prayer mats, floor coverings, tent hangings, hand towels and cushions, storage sacks, purses and cosmetic pouches, dolls and souvenirs, animal trappings and amulets. Focusing on the British Museum's remarkable collection, this book offers a wealth of creative inspiration and will be essential reading for anyone interested in textiles and the cultures of the Middle East and Central Asia.

Review: 'A fascinating visual resource, full of beautiful, detailed images and lots of surprises ... exciting ... the text is concise and informative ... It is a pleasure to learn by looking through this delightful book' - Jennifer Wearden, former curator of Islamic Textiles at the Victoria & Albert Museum

'A visual feast and an eye-opening history' - History Revealed

'Lives up to its title in examining "the fabric of life" across time in this vast region' - Embroidery

'Richly illustrated ... there is a lot to be learned about the region in this beautifully presented book' - Journal for Weavers, Spinners & Dyers