Riding Coat

Unknown

first half 13th century · Silk; weft-faced compound twill (samite) · Islamic Art

In addition to gold jewelry, affluent people during the Seljuq period and slightly later wore sumptuous silk robes. This coat is identified as a riding coat because of its cut, featuring a flare at the hip. The closing of the robe on the right may reflect a conscious choice by a Persian not to emulate the Turkish style of fastening on the left. The bird, lion, and vegetal motifs all would have had positive symbolic connotations.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half 13th century

Medium

Silk; weft-faced compound twill (samite)

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Director's Fund and Oscar de la Renta Ltd. Gift, 2008