Silk Velvet Ikat Panel

This silk velvet ikat panel was made in Iran in the early 19th century, likely in Yazd or Kashan. Making silk velvet is a very complex process, made even more complicated when the dyeing process to create an ikat is introduced. Silk velvet ikat textiles were most often used for door curtains, but this example is too small to have been used for that purpose. This panel does showcase the characteristic combination of red, black, and magenta that weavers often used to make these complicated velvets.