Publication Date
First - second century AH / seventh - eighth century AD
Publication Place
-
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Subject
Mucus and woven with fine red, green, blue and white silk threads
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
143×262 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
2015.7.31
Record ID
object;EPM;my;Mus21;5;ar
Library Location
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Date
First - second century AH / seventh - eighth century AD
Notes
This ancient lambas silk garment from Sogd (a region in Central Asia) has been radiocarbon dated to the 7th to 8th centuries, and theories have been put forward regarding its role and function. In the religious context, this silk cloth was known to be used to wrap religious texts or holy sites and bodies for burial. In diplomatic relations, this silk cloth was given as diplomatic gifts or tailored into costumes for government officials. This silk garment provides us with an image of the luxurious fabrics that were traded between China, Central Asia and Persia. To weave these fabrics, the Sassanians used their own silk designs based on rich repetitions of small animals and human elements interlaced with plants surrounded by a small pearl-like circle that became popular in Central Asia. The Sogdian people are known to weave designs specific to the market they target with reference to ethnic, cultural and religious purposes or to the ruling class. In the eighth century, Sasanian designs were brought as imported goods and imitation goods produced locally, especially from Sogd.
Sample Text
“Lampas Silk Dress” in Discover Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;my;Mus21;5;ar
