Qatar Museums Spotlights the Role of Silk During Persia’s Safavid Empire
On view in Doha until June 22.
From Kerman to Isfahan, Tabriz to the Bahktiari tribes, Persian rugs are considered some of the most sought-after textiles in the world for their ornate patterns that stem from a rich artistic heritage stretching back millennia. Complementing the thick hand-knot wool carpets of the more nomadic artisans, Persian rugs have also long incorporated the use of silk, a material that was first used in Iran in the 6th century CE and nationalized under the rule of Shah ‘Abbas I the Great (r. 1588-1629 CE) during the Safavid dynasty (1501-1722 CE).
A new exhibition at Qatar Museums spotlights the role that silk played in both the production of Persian carpets, as well as the impact the luxurious material had in revitalizing the nation’s economy and creative output. Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran is presented in collaboration with the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC and comprises of sumptuous textiles and carpets created during the Safavid Empire, considered as the birth of Modern Iran.
Highlights include 350-year-old rugs and patterns detailing the dominant fashions and patterns of the time, as well as an emphasis on the city of Isfahan, which during the Safavid’s was the capital city of Persia and a major political power in the global arena. The exhibition is currently on view in Doha until June 22, 2024.
Qatar Museums
Museum of Islamic Art
Off Al Corniche St Doha, Qatar
