Tiraz

Photos of extant medieval Islamic textiles, and a brief description of textiles in the Middle East.

The strictest government controls were reserved for a garment decoration called "tiraz," which is an inscribed arm band, given by the caliph as a badge of honor, favor, and distinction. The word "tiraz" originally meant embroidery, especially a robe with embroidered bands with writing on them. It came to mean an inscription -- embroidered, woven, or painted. This webpage includes photos from an exhibit of medieval tiraz.

Photo and descriptio n of a painted tiraz from 10th century Yemen.

Descriptio n and photo of a tiraz veil made in an Abbasid workshop, now in the Metropolit an Museum of Art.

Includes several photos of medieval tiraz, pre-17th century European and Middle Eastern ceramics, and medieval glassware.