The Ashmolean has the largest collection of medieval Islamic embroideries and Indian block-printed textiles of any public museum worldwide. They were all acquired in Egypt by the Egyptologist, Percy Newberry, who donated the entire collection to the Museum in 1941. Some of these are on display in the the Museum's Textiles Gallery's on the lower ground floor.
Around the walls of this gallery, display cases showcase spectacular robes of 19th and 20th century British explorers and adventurers and gifts to them, including Ikat robes belonging to Robert Shaw. Ornate silk-embroidered children’s gowns from China and India also adorn the walls.
Other displays feature fine examples of highly-decorative English needlework from samplers to an unusual 17th-century embroidered box. A charming example of the frog purse is not to be missed at the far end of the central display cabinet.
Textiles are an extraordinary medium: practical yet often highly decorative and can be appreciated as works of art in their own right. Cloth not only protects us against the elements, it also defines gender, age, status and cultural identity.
Please note the Arab robe worn by T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) is not currently on display. Any queries relating to it should be directed to the Eastern Art Study Room.
