18th Century Antique Persian Silk Paisley Embroidery Textile 70852
Stunning 18th Century Antique Persian Silk Embroidery Textile, Country of Origin: Persia, Circa Date: 18th Century – This magnificent treasure is from the Golden Age of the arts during the Safavid Dynasty. During this time, all forms of art were raised to a standard that led to the creation of some of the most beautiful masterpieces in the world, and this piece of silk embroidery is one of them. The earthy browns and fiery reds come together to create a piece of exquisite beauty that would be the perfect addition to your collection or home.
This antique textile was created in the 18th century and shows a fine level of detail and craftsmanship that was reserved for those of status and wealth. The cloth has a boteh pattern, which would later become known as the paisley. The paisley / boteh design is a symbol that stands for everlasting life or eternal flame. The warm rusts against the midnight blue field create warm contrast. The reds add further warmth and brilliance to the design. Silk has a natural sheen that can make it look like metallic threads. It catches the natural light and reflects it into the room.
Silk can be spun into fine threads and holds dyes beautifully. This allowed the creation of pieces with fine detail and intricate patterns, as you can see from this example. One would not even want to guess the hours of work that went into the creation of this antique embroidery. Its combination of colors and design gives it a sublime quality.
The production of silk is attributed to the Chinese, and for many centuries, they had a monopoly on the silk industry. They exported their wares to Europe via the famous routes that eventually became known as the Silk Road. The legend goes that a Persian princess was visiting China and managed to tuck a few silk cocoons into her headdress and take them home with her.
No one knows if this story is true, but by the 16th century, Persia had developed a silk industry that rivaled and possibly even surpassed that of China. This piece is magnificent for its own merits and masterful design, but it is also an important piece of textile history. It is a breathtaking piece for your collection or to display in your home or office.
