Permanent collection
Silk Robe with Confronted Lion Motif
- Year
- 650
- Medium
- Silk, weft-faced compound twill (samite)
- Accession
- MIA.2013.89
- Status
- On display
A silk robe woven in Central Asia in the Sogdian period, circa 7th century CE (1st century AH), in weft-faced compound twill (samite) decorated with confronted lions. Sogdian silks were among the most prized luxury textiles of the Silk Road, and the robe attests to the cosmopolitan crossroads that the lands of Uzbekistan already formed before the Islamic conquest of Central Asia in the 8th century. It is shown in the opening theme, Beyond the River, of Uzbekistan: Heritage in Motion. Accession number MIA.2013.89.