Rug and Textile Appreciation Morning: Threads of Empire: A History of the World in Twelve Carpets

Dorothy Armstrong shares selections from her recently published book, Threads of Empire: A History of the World in Twelve Carpets, which uncovers unfamiliar perspectives on history through the filter of carpets. Through examples found in a 5th-century BCE tomb in Siberia to the 1945 Yalta Peace Conference, Dr. Armstrong illuminates the skill, symbolism and allure of  these woven artworks, while also highlighting the gulf between the agendas of their powerful owners and the lives of their makers.  

About Dorothy Armstrong 

Dorothy Armstrong, Ph.D., is a research fellow at the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford. She specializes in the history of carpets from Asia and North Africa and the roles they play in their places of production, consumption and display. Her career includes research at the Royal College of Art, Victoria & Albert Museum and the universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh and London SOAS. Her current book is Threads of Empire: A History of the World in Twelve Carpets.  

How to Participate

This program is free and will take place online. To participate, please register in advance to reserve your space. Once you have registered, we will email you a link and details for joining on Zoom. Simply follow that link at the time the program starts (1 p.m. EST / 10 a.m. PST). When you register, you can also request to receive a reminder email one day before the program with the link included. 

About Rug and Textile Appreciation Mornings

Collectors and experts discuss textile topics and display examples from their personal holdings. This series is named in honor of late Textile Museum trustee emeritus, Harold M. Keshishian. Browse upcoming programs