Robe, Central Asia, 13th century, Silk, woven, AKM816

Robe, Central Asia, 13th century, Silk, woven, AKM816

This is an extremely rare example of a complete medieval woven silk robe. Luxurious robes were highly valued in trade and often presented as diplomatic gifts, but due to the fragility of textiles, most of what survives is fragmentary. The exchange of "cloth of gold" (nasij) long practiced by Umayyad rulers became more widespread following the Mongol invasions of Iran and Iraq in the early thirteenth century, when three artisan communities were relocated from Khorasan and Turkestan to Mongol-ruled China, the heart of silk production, where robes would come to symbolize the empire"s strength and enduring power.

Aga Khan Museum

13th century

Aga Khan Museum

Dimensions: 142cm

Material: silk, woven

AKM 816

Central Asia