How Textiles From Islamic Dynasty Show Range Of Political Influence

Textiles from Iran's Safavid Empire are on U.S. soil for the first time.

Textiles were once a tool of power and influence.

"The number of elaborate coats and robes you wore, whether they were fur trimmed or not, really indicated your social status. Fabrics in particular — silk was really a very important medium," said Massumeh Farhad, Chief curator of Persian, Arab and Turkish art at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art.

In the 17th century what you wore was about more than what was on sale. Clothing could be used as a means of communication and political influence, and there may be no greater example than Iran’s Safavid empire, whose textiles are on display at the Smithsonian.