Stories of Syria’s Textiles

• Accompanies a major exhibition at the Katonah Museum of Art October 15, 2023 – January 28, 2024
• Traces the history of textile production, consumption, and trade during three key periods – antiquity, the Ottoman Empire, and the French Mandate
• Considers clothing worn by members of various social strata and in different locations within Syria

This beautifully illustrated volume highlights the vibrant history and culture of Syria through its exceptional textile production. By presenting a broad range of textiles, created between the 2nd century to the present day, the accessible text reveals Syria’s central role in the development of global art and commerce, and more broadly, the significance of textiles as a form of material culture that reveals complex socio-political narratives. Published twelve years after the conflict in Syria began in 2011, this book underscores efforts to document, preserve, and revitalize Syrian cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. Its examination presents new scholarship commissioned from leading archaeologists, textile conservators, art historians, and heritage professionals, and drawn from the knowledge of silk producers, weavers, and other artisans. With exquisite design and an approachable narrative, this thoughtful publication provides a valuable immersive and educational experience to arts professionals, connoisseurs, and the general public.

Blair Fowlkes Childs, is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University.

Emily Handlin is the Associate Curator of Exhibitions and Programs at the Katonah Museum of Art.

Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe is the Executive Director of the Katonah Museum of Art.