Ilgich late 19th-early 20th century

This is an "Ilgich" or hanging created by Kungrat artists, its date of production is unknown. Ilgich pieces such as this one were typically hung in homes in Central Asia as both decoration and as a kind of cultural statement. Looking at the image, one sees vibrant floral motifs and bold colors. These are not merely decorative but are deeply embedded in the cultural landscape of the region. Textiles like this reflect the values and social structures of the communities that produce them. What was the role of women in the creation of such textiles, and how did this impact the local economy? By researching the local context in which these textiles were created, we can understand the historical factors and power relations that shaped them. For instance, what can we learn from the records of local workshops, or from anthropological studies of textile production in Central Asia? Understanding the social life of these objects, and how they gain meaning within museum collections, remains a key task for the art historian.