Shawl (kussaba) 18th-19th century

Curator: Oh, it’s like walking into a sun-drenched garden. Editor: You've just stepped into the presence of "Shawl (kussaba)", an exquisite textile crafted sometime between the 18th and 19th centuries. It resides here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, a testament to the beauty of weaving and pattern. Curator: Weaving stories, indeed. It’s mostly sunshine yellow, then there's this paisley-like border bursting with, shall we say, controlled chaos! Makes me feel like the shawl is almost whispering secrets of another world. Editor: Its place in textile history and design certainly speaks volumes. The craftsmanship shows an advanced understanding of pattern-making typical of Islamic art, reflecting the cultural aesthetics of its time and geographic origin. Curator: And patterns acting as prayers? Imagine wearing this – feeling that tradition enveloping you! Beyond utility, textiles from this period often symbolized status, didn’t they? Were the colors in this weaving meaningful for this status too? Editor: Undoubtedly. Materials like this were high-end status symbols. Woven elements played key roles in creating value and projecting social prestige through trade networks of this time. The repeating motifs here—what messages could that have carried for the owner or audience? Curator: Endless bounty? Infinite blessing? I can’t decide! Even the fringe feels deliberate. It adds a subtle energy—makes the shawl look almost alive. The repeating form on this work is hypnotic. Editor: I'm particularly intrigued by how its acquisition and preservation in the Minneapolis Institute of Art shapes our understanding. How many hands and trades were a part of making such artwork publicly accessible now? Curator: I am moved by how an object made in near anonymity so long ago, finds a home in the world where its story evolves through different cultures, different perceptions... even our own. The power of pattern to move emotion, still. Editor: Well, next time I need to project an air of cultural significance, I know where to look. A gorgeous work on the walls, with layered meaning.