Ninxia Rug at Sandra Whitman –

I find decorative arts of all kinds can have amazing power to re-shape, dislodge, and entirely shock my sense of time as an historical progression of the “old” leading to the “new”. The carpet above (shown in close-up) is a case in point. According to dealer Sandra Whitman it was made in China between 1723 and 1735. That means this very “new” looking carpet (replete with a simplified color palette, abstracted open field and streamlined border) was sitting in China decades before the U.S. Declaration of Independence or the French Revolution. That unwires my brain a bit.

Italian Textiles in Czarist Russia –

For more textile-related goodies from The New York Times check out this recent article on a current show at the Textile Museum in Prato Italy. The show is entitled “The Style of the Czar: Art and Fashion between Italy and Russia from the 14th to the 18th Century” .

Above, an Italian silk tapestry from the 16th century. I love the combination of the yellow green and the dark jade.

French Velvet at The Lotus Collection –

The website of Kathleen Taylor’s textile company The Lotus Collection has been re-organized since I last visited several months ago and it’s definitely worth looking at anew. Above, a French voided velvet (circa 1890).

Silk Patchwork –

– A striking silk quilt from the 1870’s, up for auction at Christie’s on September 29th. Further proof the nineteenth century is full of surprises.

Turkish Seraser –

Above, a detail of a 16th century kaftan from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Here’s their description:

This magnificent panel from a kaftan is an example of very high-grade seraser production in Istanbul. Seraser is a cloth of gold and silver woven in a compound structure consisting of two warps and two or more complementary wefts. It was highly favored at the Ottoman court. The design of peacock feathers alludes to the bird who resided in paradise until he was expelled, along with Adam and Eve, for failing to follow God’s commandments.

Disregarding its deeper cultural and religious meaning for a moment, I’d like to regard the object simply on a visual level: The bold, stylized design! The buttery yellow with hints of green! Weekend eye candy five centuries old.

Iran, 13th Century –

News from Iran over the past three days has been quite absorbing, and it’s really a complete marvel to watch such dramatic and momentous events unfold from so many thousands of miles away. As I send my heartfelt wishes for the safety of all involved, I’m also reminded of the incredibly rich artistic history rooted in the region, one that makes American culture look very very young.

Above, a silk brocade attributed to 13th century Iran — from The Khalili Collections. Click on the slide show of their Islamic art collection to see many more amazing pieces.

Antiktex –

A friend clipped this article out of The New York Times for me about a place in NYC called Antiktex. Read Wendy Moonan’s write-up for the full scoop and just imagine the treasure trove…(Photo above by Librado Romero.)

P.S. This is post #100!

Nimbus and Heart –

I watched the two most recent episodes of Project Runway last night and was excited to see the The Metropolitan Museum’s Greek and Roman galleries as one source of inspiration offered up for their last challenge. So tonight I did a bit of exploring of my own — winding up in Egypt, not Rome or Greece, with this image of a fifth century Egyptian-Coptic textile depicting a man with “nimbus and heart”. The nimbus being the golden halo around his head and the heart — is this the red shape floating outside his body? I love the coloration overall — the red, the dark indigo blue, and the shades of purple and green on his shirt.

Wearing Propaganda –

The subject of my previous post reminded me of literature I received in the mail last Fall for a Bard Graduate Center exhibition titled, Wearing Propaganda: Textiles on the Home Front in Japan, Britain and the United States 1931-1945. I didn’t make it to the show but the catalog is available for purchase on Amazon. The kimono above is featured on the book’s cover and is referenced within the mailing I received as “Woman’s haori, ‘The Thrill of Flight.’ Japan, late 1920’s-early 1930’s. Collection of Minoru Akemi and Atsushi Narita.”

Arraiolos Carpets –

I had the opportunity to meet Peter Pap (of Peter Pap Oriental Rugs) this week and checked out his website this evening. One of his featured carpets is the one shown above, an “Arrayollos Carpet” (more commonly spelled – at least on internet searches – “Arrailos”). The name was unfamiliar to me but it refers to an area of Portugal known historically for its textile and embroidery traditions. This particular needlepoint carpet is dated to the 17th century. The bold pattern and strong blue and yellow palette is very appealing, I think!