The Museum of Islamic Art presents "Embroidered Dreams": an exhibition of embroideries from the Ottoman Empire.
About the exhibition:
Ornate embroidery was common across all echelons of society - from the Sultan's court, through the rich households of the Empire's ministers and urban merchants, to the simple rural clans of even the farthest province. Embroideries were given as gifts and were part of matrimonial dowries; they covered wedding beds and were hung on walls, becoming a staple in harem and home design.
Embroideries like those in the collection, with their wide variety of designs and techniques, were common throughout the Empire, from Turkey to North Africa, and were enriched by the meshing of various regional cultures. These embroideries originated from urban Ottoman aristocracy which had access to imports, was open to foreign influences and was familiar with the decorations used on Chinese china and Persian and Italian silks and velvets. It is probable that the techniques and motifs developed in the court found their way to rural areas and beyond, and so while the use of embroidered fabrics may have begun in royal courts and high society circles, it became common over time.
Sunday through Thursday 10:00 to 19:00; Friday and holiday eves 10:00 to 16:00; Saturday and holidays 10:00 to 16:00
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