I see many great exhibits in Paris but occasionally, there’s an exhibit that knocks my socks off and which I recommend making a special trip to Paris to see, if necessary.
Sur Les Routes de Samarcande, Merveilles de soie et d’or, is one of them. The gorgeous exhibit, spanning close to 12,000 square feet on two floors, visually traces the artisanal silk and golden treasures of Uzbekistan from the 19th and 20th century. There are over 300 pieces in the collection which include robes, tapestries, carpets, jewelry, dresses, head pieces, swords, and horse saddles, and each one is a work of art in itself. I was dazzled by the colors, mixing of textures and textiles, and the luxuriousness, and I marveled at the handwork that went into them.
Textiles from the Islamic world and Boukhara style embroidery, from 1785 to 1920, using gold threads were the forefront for the tapestries and costumes of the period. The dramatic curation uses dim lighting except when golden light floods on to the pieces, making the colors and texture pop.
Les Routes de Samarcande
Until June 4, 2023
Institut du Monde Arabe
1, rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard, Place Mohammed-V 75005
https://www.imarabe.org/fr/expositions/sur-les-routes-de-samarcande-merveilles-de-soie-et-d-or
Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more. In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.
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