Popular among the elite of 16th-century Istanbul, Kemha weaves were spectacular, large-pattern silks favored for luxury garments. Their glimmering patterns in multi-weave designs catch the light and create dimension in any space. Inspired by the textiles of the Ottoman Empire, Kemha woven is a viscose-and-cotton weave that features recurring tulip and pomegranate motifs. Originating as wildflowers indigenous to eastern Persia and western Anatolia, now Turkey, tulips became a symbol of wealth, power, and the divine, while the pomegranate served as an emblem of prosperity and abundance.
This captivating collection, created in collaboration with The Met, draws on artworks and objects from across nine of The Met’s 17 curatorial departments to create a rich mosaic of historical narratives. Each design is a celebration of artisanship, inspired by exquisite forms and cultural traditions. Following our first collaboration with The Met in the 1970s, we bring museum magic into the home once again in homage to history and the grand beauty of art.
