Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Ashmolean − Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Room 5 | Textiles gallery

Explore the beauty and variety of Eastern Art objects on display in the Textiles gallery.

Textiles gallery

Textiles and mathematics

Making textiles requires mathematical skills: both arithmetic and geometry are used to translate a pattern into a woven structure or textile surface design.

The relationship of warp to weft determines the surface of the cloth, and the weaver learns to translate this into a pattern. The result may be a simple combination of stripes or a complex tapestry design.

Patterns applied to the woven cloth may also require counting skills and sophisticated planning of space. These embroideries and printed textiles depend on both. Counted stitches are the basis of the embroidery, and principles of symmetry are essential when designing with printing blocks.

Textile fragment with leaf scrolls, palmettes, and triangles (EA1984.176) Textile fragment with leaf scrolls, palmettes, and triangles (EA1984.176)   Textile fragment with vines, leaves, and flower-heads (EA1984.462) Textile fragment with vines, leaves, and flower-heads (EA1984.462)   Textile fragment with interlocking hexagons and diamond-shapes (EA1984.463) Textile fragment with interlocking hexagons and diamond-shapes (EA1984.463)
Textile fragment with linked circles and rosettes (EA1990.1099) Textile fragment with linked circles and rosettes (EA1990.1099)   Textile fragment with elaborate rosettes, tendrils, and leaves (EA1990.240) Textile fragment with elaborate rosettes, tendrils, and leaves (EA1990.240)   Textile fragment with star and pseudo-inscription (EA1993.357) Textile fragment with star and pseudo-inscription (EA1993.357)
Notice

Objects may have since been removed or replaced from a gallery. Click into an individual object record to confirm whether or not an object is currently on display. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis, so contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular Eastern Art object.

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