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GW Museum and Textile Museum

@GWTextileMuseum

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum celebrates the creative achievements of local and global cultures from antiquity through today.

 701 21st Street, NW
museum.gwu.edu
Joined April 2009
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Photo by GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)Photo by GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)Photo by GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)Photo by GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)Photo by GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)Photo by GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)Photo by GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)Photo by GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)Photo by GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)Photo by GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)
Thank you for following along with us on X as we've shared stories and artworks from Washington and the world. We are retiring this account, but you can still follow us on Instagram (@gwmuseum), Facebook and TikTok (@gwtextilemuseum). We hope to see you there!
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Can you picture this gorgeous Algerian curtain in your living room window? #FabricFriday
Orange-yellow fringed curtain panel with five flower medallions in center with border of stylized floral bands in dark red, light blue, dark blue, light green, dark green, purple, yellow, gold, white, off-white, pink and black

ALT Orange-yellow fringed curtain panel with five flower medallions in center with border of stylized floral bands in dark red, light blue, dark blue, light green, dark green, purple, yellow, gold, white, off-white, pink and black

Orange-yellow fringed curtain panel with five flower medallions in center with border of stylized floral bands in dark red, light blue, dark blue, light green, dark green, purple, yellow, gold, white, off-white, pink and black

ALT Orange-yellow fringed curtain panel with five flower medallions in center with border of stylized floral bands in dark red, light blue, dark blue, light green, dark green, purple, yellow, gold, white, off-white, pink and black

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For today’s #MondayMotivation, check out this stunning design from Türkiye! The pattern, featuring rows of star-shaped octagons alternating with pointed crosses, is arranged in a timeless Islamic style
Chartreuse velvet forms most of the outlines and, in the ivory octagon, forms the stems of the maroon velvet carnations and hyacinths which alternate with smaller forget-me-nots.

ALT Chartreuse velvet forms most of the outlines and, in the ivory octagon, forms the stems of the maroon velvet carnations and hyacinths which alternate with smaller forget-me-nots.

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Give your eyes a much-needed break with the sunset hues of a Moroccan carpet ☀️ #FabricFriday Woven in the mountains of rural Morocco, this carpet entrances us with its symmetrical diamonds, star motifs and multicolored rosettes.
Orange-yellow rug striped with bands of blue and red with stepped diamonds and star motifs; central band of rosettes in red vertical band.

ALT Orange-yellow rug striped with bands of blue and red with stepped diamonds and star motifs; central band of rosettes in red vertical band.

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For #MondayMotivation, take a look at this embroidery from the Ionian Islands! The technique involves carefully removing some threads from the fabric to create a delicate, net-like pattern. The artist then uses silk thread to fill in the open spaces, making the design stand out
Cream-colored square textile with patterns of symmetrically arranged animals: deer, double eagles, lions, and peacocks.

ALT Cream-colored square textile with patterns of symmetrically arranged animals: deer, double eagles, lions, and peacocks.

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For #FabricFriday, we’re showcasing a textile from our “Utopia/Dystopia” micro exhibition titled "Young Pioneers’ Rally"!
Light blue pattern on cream fabric depicting a pattern of crowds of young people; a central figure near center blows a horn, and more figures in the crowds beat drums

ALT Light blue pattern on cream fabric depicting a pattern of crowds of young people; a central figure near center blows a horn, and more figures in the crowds beat drums

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This week, we’re delighted to showcase our September micro exhibition, “Utopia/Dystopia," which features powerfully narrative textiles from the Soviet Union era!
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Start your week with a little #MondayMotivation from Guatemala! This beautiful huipil is a striking example of the traditional patterns found in Tecpán's everyday huipils. A huipil is a traditional embroidered blouse worn by Indigenous women in Guatemala
Navy colored blouse with colorful brocaded zigzag designs

ALT Navy colored blouse with colorful brocaded zigzag designs

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For #FabricFriday, we’re showing off two “shisha” embroidered blouse sleeves from Pakistan! Mirror work in textiles from this region is thought to originate from local beliefs: The mirrors were believed to trap the evil eye and reflect the bad luck away from the wearer. 🧿
Two images of left and right red armband sleeves embroidered with interlaced motifs and mirrors; red background fabric with green trim and orange, yellow, green, white, and black stitching

ALT Two images of left and right red armband sleeves embroidered with interlaced motifs and mirrors; red background fabric with green trim and orange, yellow, green, white, and black stitching

Two images of left and right red armband sleeves embroidered with interlaced motifs and mirrors; red background fabric with green trim and orange, yellow, green, white, and black stitching

ALT Two images of left and right red armband sleeves embroidered with interlaced motifs and mirrors; red background fabric with green trim and orange, yellow, green, white, and black stitching

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Today’s #MondayMotivation is from Uzbekistan. What makes this robe special is that it’s crafted from two distinct ikat fabrics. Even though the designs differ, the colors and their distribution are so closely matched that the transition between the patterns is nearly invisible.
Wide sleeved robe with black, white, red, and yellow ikat patterning

ALT Wide sleeved robe with black, white, red, and yellow ikat patterning

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This Nigerian textile utilizes a resist-dye technique called “adire eleko.” The resist element is made from cassava flour and is painted, stenciled or combed over the cloth. After drying in the sun, this mantle was dipped in synthetic indigo, revealing the patterns.
Image from GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)
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Check out the newest post on our Collection Stories blog: a Shaman's hat from Laos! collectionstories.museum.gwu…
Shaman’s Hat from Laos

Shaman’s Hat from Laos

Shaman’s hat (muu); Laos, Hua Phan; Tai Daeng people; 20th or 21st century. Cotton, plain weave with supplementary-weft patterning, 56 x 24 cm. The Textile Museum 2012.22.48. Gift of Ellison Findly. 

collectionstories.museum.gwu.edu
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Today's #MondayMotivation takes us to Cameroon. This tunic was likely worn by a high-ranking Banum official. Indigo-dyed cloths are worn by rulers and their close associates on special occasions, and are displayed in royal spaces.
white ground tunic with blue geometric designs and fur fringe around the bottom

ALT white ground tunic with blue geometric designs and fur fringe around the bottom

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Today, we’re excited to share a Peruvian textile accessory! #FabricFriday This armband was woven from alpaca hair and features a row of fierce warriors. Check out their adorable little helmets!
Red alpaca tapestry woven armband with a row of multicolored warrior face motifs and checkerboard patterned areas.

ALT Red alpaca tapestry woven armband with a row of multicolored warrior face motifs and checkerboard patterned areas.

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Join us for a free festival with crafts, dance and displays from the embassies of China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and the American Turkish Association. Saturday, September 7, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. museum.gwu.edu/celebration-t…
Image from GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)
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Did you know that Bhutan has a national dress code? National dress is a way of preserving Bhutanese culture. The “kira” is a traditional garment worn by women at formal, official and celebratory events. #FabricFriday
large, rectangular textile with bold geometric patterning on a yellow-gold base

ALT large, rectangular textile with bold geometric patterning on a yellow-gold base

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Beyond its beauty, the rebozo is a practical garment, used for carrying babies, goods or as a fashionable accessory. Its significance in Mexican culture makes it a cherished symbol of heritage and craftsmanship. #FabricFriday
Long shawl-like textile with very dark blue cotton warp stripes alternate with blue silk warp stripes enclosing blue and white cotton warp ikat stripes.

ALT Long shawl-like textile with very dark blue cotton warp stripes alternate with blue silk warp stripes enclosing blue and white cotton warp ikat stripes.

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Today’s #FabricFriday is new addition to our collections website. This intricately embroidered badge from China features a white egret, signifying the wearer’s status as a sixth- or seventh-rank official in the Qing-dynasty civil service.
Square textile embroidered with a white egret standing on a rock rising from the sea, against a background of blue sky, clouds and auspicious symbols

ALT Square textile embroidered with a white egret standing on a rock rising from the sea, against a background of blue sky, clouds and auspicious symbols

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In Bolivia, Indigenous women use vibrant carrying cloths for everything from cradling babies to hauling market goods. Tied into a pouch and worn slung across the chest, these cloths blend beauty and practicality. #FabricFriday
Image from GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)
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Discover the art of tablet weaving with a glimpse into textile scholar Sarah Sherrill’s archive! 🌟 In our “Art Uncovered” exhibition, you'll see this captivating photo of a Bakhtiari woman tablet weaving using leather boards. Swipe to see result — a beautifully crafted band.
Image from GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)
Image from GW Museum and Textile Museum (@GWTextileMuseum)
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