Kamarband c. 19th century

This 19th-century "Kamarband" is a long narrow textile woven with a repeating pattern of stylized flowers in red, white, green, and blue. Kamarbands, or sashes, were worn as a decorative belt across the waist or as a headdress. This example is a particularly fine example of the art of weaving, which is a craft that has been practiced for centuries in the region where this piece was made. This kamarband, currently at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a testament to the skill of anonymous artisans who wove beautiful textiles for daily life.