This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Brocaded velvet

Location:

Doha, Qatar

Holding Museum:

Museum of Islamic Art

About Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

Date of Object:

Hegira 977-987 / AD 1570s

Museum Inventory Number:

TE.9.1998.1-2

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Silk, Metal Thread; Weaving

Dimensions:

Height: 164 cm, width: 70 cm

Period / Dynasty:

Safavid

Provenance:

Iran, Qazvin

Description:

Figurative design flowered in Safavid textiles in the AH 10th century / AD mid-16th century. These figures often share the same features as book paintings from the period. This velvet is unique due to the large size of its figures, unknown on other velvets of the AH 10th century / AD 16th century, and the richness of surface textures. Uncut loops of metal-wrapped silk thread have been added in some areas to the traditional silk pile, contrasting with the glittering metal thread background.

How Object was obtained:

Sotheby's London, Fine Oriental and European Rugs and Carpets, 14 Oct 1998, lot 37 to Qatar Museums

Selected bibliography:

Al Khemir, Sabiha, From Cordoba To Samarqand, Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Milan: Musée du Louvre Editions, 2006.

Thompson, Jon, Silk. 13th to 18th centuries. Treasures from the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar, Doha: National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage, 2004.

Citation of this web page:

Tara Desjardins "Brocaded velvet" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2026.
https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;qt;Mus21;30;en

Prepared by: Tara Desjardins

MWNF Working Number: QT 30