Silk in Iran
The heyday of silk weaving in Iran was determined by the large scale of silk production in a number of provinces as well as the high domestic demand for silk and semi-silk fabrics. Sericulture was an important segment of urban handicraft production. Craftsmen from Isfahan, Kashan, Yazd, and Rasht became famous for creating both expensive satin and velvet fabrics and sarsenet, a relatively simple and inexpensive material.
In everyday life, townspeople used silk fabrics for sofa and bed covers, pillows, special napkins for bride’s dowry, various cases, and handbags. Women’s urban costumes incorporated both fine batiste and high-quality dense silk.
Townswomen were the main consumers of silk fabrics, buying them at city bazaars for themselves and their families. The demand for a particular type of silk was determined by fashion trends popular at the Shah’s palace and then seeping through court circles in the urban environment. The chador, a discreet street wear made of coarse cotton linen, was nothing like the expensive and vibrant domestic outfit of a rich Iranian woman. The latter included short shirts made of transparent silk fabric and upper jackets made of satin or brocade.
Scales. Iran. Late 19th century. Iranians
Fabric sample. Yazd, Iran. Late 19th – early 20th century. Iranians
Jewelry casket. Iran. Late 19th century. Iranians
Fabric samples. Kashan, Iran. Late 19th – early 20th century. Iranians
Women’s attire for going outside
Isfahan, Iran. Late 19th – early 20th century. Iranians
Women’s outerwear. Isfahan, Iran. Late 19th – early 20th century. Iranians
Women’s shirt. Isfahan, Iran. Late 19th – early 20th century. Iranians
