The oasis towns of the Silk Route are the source of opulent ikat-dyed silks and velvets, fine cotton weaves and exquisite embroideries. Textiles are also produced in the villages: each house generally has a loom where the women still weave for the needs of the household as well as for the bazaar and, nowadays, the co-operative. But perhaps the most deeply rooted and dynamic textile tradition is that of the nomads.

The skills of dyeing, weaving and embroidery are passed on from generation to generation, from mother to daughter, the harsh life of the nomadic tribeswomen gaining color and splendor with magnificent woven articles, felts and embroideries, as vibrant as the spring flowers that blossom on the steppelands.

The marvelous results are displayed in this book in more than 200 spectacular color plates. Janet Harvey describes the decorative motifs, the materials, dyes and looms; the types of objects made and their diverse regional and tribal variations; the clothes and costumes; and the lavish embroideries and embellishments.

A valuable source of information for designers and students, collectors and travelers, and an inspiration for anyone interested in the decorative power of textiles, the book is completed with a glossary, a bibliography and a list of collections.