From zar-baft to qalamkar
Persian textiles from the late 19th to the early 20th century display a multitude of techniques as well as many different kinds of illustrations. Besides, they are used in a number of different ways. As the subtitle indicates, they range from precious brocades (Zar-baft) to printed cloths (Qalamkar), from opulent oriental floral patterns to narrative depictions, from hangings, covers and garments to ones that are used for very special purposes — for example, cloths on which ceremonial meals are served and ones employed as chair and saddle covers, or animal trappings. In this richly illustrated publication, Marie-Louise Nabholz-Kartaschoff presents examples from a highly diversified private collection.
