On view through August 19, 2007
The trellis tent is a brilliant invention. It has made nomadic life possible across Central Asia for at least one and a half millennia. An important component of its construction is a woven tent band which girdles the lower part of the wooden roof struts. This critical engineering element provides the tension necessary to brace the roof dome against outward collapse under the load of heavy felts and the force of strong steppe winds. Beyond serving a utilitarian function, tent bands are often elaborately decorated.
Architectural Textiles: Tent Bands of Central Asia highlights this unique and fundamental weaving. The exhibition includes tent bands made by different Central Asian ethnic groups, including Turkmen, Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Kazakh. Approximately 40 objects drawn from The TM's collections and private holdings are included in this exhibition, representing a wide range of structures, colors, designs and materials. Supplemental materials provide a richer context to deepen understanding of the lost world of the nomads. These include period photographs of nomadic life and weaving for discussion of textile structure.
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