Byzantine Silk on the Silk Roads: Journeys between East and West, Past and Present

Byzantine Silk on the Silk Roads explores the eclectic iconography of the Byzantine period and its impact on design and creativity today, with over 200 color illustrations. It reveals the spread of silk embroidery and designs from East to West, and from West to East, from China to Rome, and from Constantinople to Korea. The book also explores the relationship between color and power, material culture and status, and offers broader insight into Byzantine culture, trade, society, and ceremony. It shows how the Byzantine era still influences textile and fashion designers today in their choices of materials and colors, and their utilization of images and patterns.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Byzantine Silk on the Silk Roads delves into the intricate iconography of the Byzantine period and its profound impact on design and creativity in the present day. By examining the diverse range of designs found in these captivating silks, an international team of experts unveils that Byzantine culture was ever-evolving and receptive to diverse influences throughout the vast expanse of the Silk Road. Commentaries from curators at renowned collections, such as the Museum of Arts, Boston, the Smithsonian (Cooper Hewitt), the V&A, and the Vatican, shed light on the spread of silk embroidery and designs from East to West, as well as from West to East, from China to Rome, and from Constantinople to Korea. Through the analysis of exclusive imagery from global museums, churches, and archives, the authors explore the intricate relationship between color, power, material culture, and status in these unique woven silks. This study offers a broader understanding of Byzantine culture, trade, society, and ceremony.

Moreover, Byzantine Silk on the Silk Roads takes us on a captivating journey from the past to the present, where Byzantine storytelling and image-making are reimagined through the lens of color, imagery, and pattern in contemporary fashion collections. By exploring Byzantine culture through a contemporary perspective, the book showcases how the Byzantine era continues to influence textile and fashion designers in their material choices, color selections, and the utilization of images and patterns. It serves as a unique source of inspiration for designers and creators in the 21st century, drawing upon the rich heritage of the Byzantine era to create stunning and timeless designs.

Weight: 1428g
Dimension: 221 x 275 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350099333