Silk, the Thread that Tied the World

Over a thousand years ago the Chinese discovered that the slender filaments that formed the cocoon of the silk moth, could be woven into beautiful shimmering fabrics.

For centuries they were able to keep the process a secret, but eventually started to trade the valuable cloth with the west, along the silk road.

Silk was a luxury item that bestowed prestige, so it was inevitable that the wealthy wanted their silks to be as elaborate as possible, beautiful designs were produced in the Islamic w...