Iranian Textiles

The Victoria and Albert Museum has an unrivalled collection of Iranian textiles from the first half of the nineteenth century. There are over 900 examples of woven, printed and embroidered fabrics,which were used as garments and accessories, as well as for furnishings and religious textiles. This book presents, for the first time, over 200 Qajar textiles, and describes the political and economic context against which they were produced. Many of these beautiful fabrics will seem surprisingly familiar – so strong was their influence on European manufacturers. This collection, published with new photography and superb details, will interest interior designers, textile students and anyone involved in fashion.

Jennifer Wearden retired as Senior Curator of Textiles at the V&A in 2004, but continues to work with the Museum's collections and is an Honorary Research Fellow. Patricia L. Baker (1942–2008) was a freelance lecturer, consultant and author specializing in the study of Islamic textiles and glass.