A study of nomadic life and weavings in Iran is not complete without an examination of warp-faced weavings. Warp-faced bands, containers and covers are among the rarest and least studied of all weavings made by nomads in Iran.

In this illustrated talk, collector and researcher Fred Mushkat will provide an introduction to these weavings, focusing on different warp-faced structures, how and why these structures were used, which nomads made them and how to distinguish one nomadic group's work from another. Mushkat will also explore design repertoire, function and the importance of these textiles to the women who made them.   

About Fred Mushkat 

Fred Mushkat practiced emergency medicine for 40 years, retiring in 2018. In his twenties he became interested in so-called ethnographic textiles and bought the first band he saw in 1986. As he acquired more bands and began to learn about them, he realized there was a gap in the literature about these weavings. He has written articles on bands for Hali Magazine and given presentations to rug societies across the United States and Great Britain. In 2020, he published Weavings of Nomads in Iran: Warp-faced Bands and Related Textiles. 

How to Participate

You can register for this program online. After you register, we will email you a link and instructions for joining online via Zoom. Simply follow that link at the time the event starts (11 a.m. EDT). When you register, you can also request to receive a reminder email one day before the program with the link included. 

Our regular attendees know that Rug and Textile Appreciation Mornings typically include a show and tell of textiles brought in by participants. In order to simulate this experience virtually, we invite you to submit high-resolution photographs of pieces from your personal collection that fit our theme. Please send your images to us at [email protected] by Thursday, April 22, to be considered (keeping in mind that we may not be able to accommodate all submissions). Please include information about where your piece was made, its approximate age and any interesting details, and indicate if you would like your name to be mentioned.

About Rug and Textile Appreciation Mornings

Collectors and experts discuss textile topics and display examples from their personal holdings. You are invited to submit related pieces to share during the program. This series is named in honor of late Textile Museum trustee emeritus, Harold M. Keshishian. Browse upcoming programs