Wall Hanging Composed of Five Panels
1850/75
Medium
Silk, warp-faced plain weave; warp-dyed (ikat)
Dimensions
166 × 132.1 cm (65 × 52 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
185616
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The ikat dyeing technique was brought to a high level of accomplishment in the 19th century in Central Asia, particularly in the area around the Fergana Valley, in modern-day Uzbekistan. The time-consuming process involves sequentially dyeing bundles of warps and wefts in multiple colors, each time with particular areas tightly wrapped to resist dye penetration, all before they are woven. Warps are then stretched on the loom and wefts are passed so as to create the intended pattern. While the pa...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...