Kamarband c. late 19th century

This anonymous "Kamarband" is a narrow woven textile strip likely used as a decorative belt or sash. The piece, dating to the late 19th century, features a repeating pattern of stylized motifs on a red ground. The central motif resembles an elongated, abstracted paisley or buta shape, a ubiquitous design element in Persian and Indian art. Its bold colors and simple geometric forms lend a sense of traditional craftsmanship, characteristic of Central Asian textile traditions. The work is now part of the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art.