Cleveland Museum of Art

Textile with Palmettes

Date

1200s–1300s

Medium

Silk and gold thread; tabby with supplementary weft

Culture

Central Asia, Il-khanid (Mongol) period

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Designs of repeated ogives were popular in Central Asia and survive in a number of variations. Usually, the ogival frame encloses a floral motif, as in this example. Sometimes paired animals occur instead. Silks with this type of pattern were exported to Western Asia and to Europe, where they inspired textile designs woven locally. Mongol silks with exotic floral and animal patterns were acquired for use as clothing and furnishings by the clergy and nobility. They were also used by painters as models for hangings or garments. Some of the original coral-red background can be seen along the edges, where it hasn't faded to off-white.

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