Symbols of Power: Luxury Textiles from Islamic Lands, 7th–21st Century - Hardcover

Mackie, Louise W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300206097 ISBN 13: 9780300206098

Publisher: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 2015

Synopsis

A lavishly illustrated, authoritative presentation of the history of Islamic luxury textiles

For centuries, luxury textiles were symbols of status, wealth, and power at Islamic imperial courts from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, setting standards for beauty and fueling prosperous, urban economies. This book offers an unparalleled examination of Islamic luxury textiles, drawn from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s exemplary collection as well as from museums on four continents. Leading scholar Louise W. Mackie offers a generous overview of the cultural significance of these textiles, as well as descriptions of primary motifs and patterns, and explanations of various techniques used in their production. With singular insight into distinctive artistic characteristics of wealthy dynasties and periods, the text—complemented by more than 450 sumptuous illustrations—pinpoints luxury textiles as a vital link between art, culture, and history of the Islamic world. This book offers a much-needed contribution to scholarship on both textiles and Islamic art, and paves the way for further study and appreciation of these objects.

About this title

Book Description:

This sumptuously illustrated book offers an unparalleled examination of Islamic luxury textiles, with singular insight into the significance and distinctive artistic characteristics of different patterns and designs.

About the Author:

Louise W. Mackie is curator of textiles and Islamic art at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this edition

• Publisher: The Cleveland Museum of Art
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0300206097
• ISBN 13: 9780300206098
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 520