A Story of Islamic Embroidery in Nomadic and Urban Traditions will bring together more than 200 rare and majestic textiles, including a wealth of embroideries from Central Asia—never before exhibited in the region, that permit visitors to explore the exchange of trade and culture across the Silk Road and beyond. These works, with their kaleidoscope of motifs and colours, create a form of abstract art and testify to the role of Islamic women in creating an artistic tradition of great significance and beauty.

The works on view include embroidered garments and decorative objects dating from the 17th to the 20th century that illuminate how the magnificent tradition of embroidery, carried on by urban, rural and nomadic women, sustained regional, tribal and family identities through its integration in communal activities, and how it evolved through the encounter of different cultures.