Member Tour: Adorning the Horse: Equestrian Textiles for Power and Prestige
In-Person Member Program, Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Saddle cover (detail); Iran, Rasht; 19th century. The Textile Museum Collection 2021.17.16. Brick Freedman Collection.
Museum members are invited to join curators Sumru Belger Krody and Lee Talbot for an exclusive first look at the exhibition Adorning the Horse: Equestrian Textiles for Power and Prestige. Members will gain insight into the opulent textiles used to dress horses throughout history and the ways they reflect the lifestyles, cultural traditions and beliefs of the people who rode these revered animals.
Another member tour will be offered on Friday, February 20, at 1 p.m.
About the Exhibition
For millennia, horses have captivated humans with their beauty, strength and majesty. From Türkiye to Japan, civilizations have elaborately costumed these prized animals. In Adorning the Horse: Equestrian Textiles for Power and Prestige, a magnificent selection of saddle blankets, horse covers and other equestrian textiles from the past 1,300 years communicates the significance and status of horses and their riders. Learn more about the exhibition
About Sumru Belger Krody
Sumru Belger Krody joined the curatorial staff of The Textile Museum in 1994. She serves as chief curator, as well as editor of The Textile Museum Journal. Specializing in textiles from the late antique era and Islamic world, Krody has curated numerous exhibitions and authored exhibition catalogs, articles and book chapters. She holds degrees in classical archaeology from Istanbul University and the University of Pennsylvania.
About Lee Talbot
Senior Curator Lee Talbot is a specialist in East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian textiles. Before joining The Textile Museum in 2007, he served as curator at the Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum in Seoul, Korea. He has a bachelor’s from Rhodes College, a M.B.A. from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a master’s from Bard Graduate Center.
How to Participate
This program is for museum members and will take place in person at the museum. Space is limited, so please register in advance to reserve your spot. If you are not currently a member, you can join or renew online.
About Member Programs
Support the museum and enjoy access to special members-only programs, including curator talks and behind-the-scenes tours. Browse upcoming programs
Additional Information
Photos and/or videos of attendees of this program may be taken and shared on social media, websites, or marketing materials. Please contact MuseumEd
gwu [dot] edu (MuseumEd[at]gwu[dot]edu) if you have questions about photography or recordings at this program.