Royal Round Tent made for Muhammad Shah (wall panel with one design unit)
Unknown Artist
1834–48
Medium
Interior: wool: plain weave, inlaid work; silk: embroidery, chain stitch; tape, leather; Exterior: cotton, wool: plain weave; rope, iron ring
Dimensions
166.1 × 119.4 cm
Classification
Textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
2014.388.3
About this artwork
Royal tents were potent symbols of authority, wealth, and power throughout the greater Middle East. Rulers owned thousands of tents. They were used for shelter, shade, and innumerable functions in tent compounds that were essential for imperial ceremonies, travel, and military campaigns. Distinguished by size with elaborately decorated interior walls and ceilings, tents could be as large as castles. Opulent tents were also presented as imperial gifts. Tents are only known through documents befor...