Robe (Chapan), Uzbekistan, 19th century, Silk, warp resist-dyed and woven, braided trim, On loan from the Marshall and Marilyn R. Wolf Collection, Toronto, LI2016.24.4

Robe (Chapan), Uzbekistan, 19th century, Silk, warp resist-dyed and woven, braided trim, On loan from the Marshall and Marilyn R. Wolf Collection, Toronto, LI2016.24.4

Central Asia is known as the land of textiles, where the art of producing resist-dyed and woven (ikat) fabrics reached its height in the nineteenth century. These robes (chapans), worn by both men and women, were made from silk or velvet and, later, a combination of cotton and silk. Ikat textiles include astonishing combinations of bold colour and abstract design, with talismanic motifs that light up the otherwise stark terrain of Central Asia. These two robes tell the story of the vivid Uzbek markets that lined the Silk Roads: the dark blue chapan shows the pride of Bukhara style in the Persian 'cloud-like' (abra) technique and features predominant yellow and red colours, and the yellow chapan follows the Uzbek chapan tradition while introducing new colours and patterns that would appeal to buyers in Chinese markets.

Wolf Collection

19th century

Photographer Credit: Courtesy of the Aga Khan Museum

Wolf Collection

Materials: Silk, warp resist-dyed and woven, braided trim

M.M. Wolf Collection LI2016.24.4

Uzbekistan