Camels bearing howdahs – handwoven Oriental silk brocade, green

Product description

Hand woven historical fabric in pure silk inspired by a surviving medieval silk textile from the 10th-century Middle East. The bold golden medallion pattern set against a brick-red ground has a distinctly ceremonial presence and carries the legacy of courtly representation in the early Islamic world. An exceptional fabric not only for historically accurate costumes and decorative work, but also for creators seeking a truly distinctive material for contemporary projects.

Origin and pattern

In developing this historical pattern, we drew inspiration from a remarkable 10th-century silk fragment now preserved in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The original textile was created within the Islamic world during the Buyid era and represents a unique fusion of Eastern and Byzantine artistic traditions.

The medallion motif featuring camels carrying a howdah, together with the Kufic inscription al-mulk (“Sovereignty belongs to God”), ranks among the masterpieces of early medieval textile art.

Historical source

The original silk fragment, dated to the 10th century and known as Roundels with Camels Bearing Howdahs, is now housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The textile is woven in a plain weave with supplementary weft threads — a technique characteristic of luxury silks from the early Islamic world.

The composition consists of large circular medallions. At the center of each medallion stand two confronted camels carrying an ornate ceremonial litter (howdah). The motif is set within a geometric lattice featuring an eight-pointed star and complemented by stylized birds and beasts.

Particular importance is given to the Kufic inscription al-mulk (a shortened form of al-mulk lillah — “Sovereignty belongs to God”), which confirms the Islamic origin of the textile.

Historical period and cultural context

This textile dates to the period of the Buyid dynasty (10th–11th century), which controlled large territories in present-day Iran and Iraq and effectively governed Baghdad. This era saw a significant flourishing of courtly culture and luxury textile production.

What makes this group of silks especially fascinating is the blending of artistic traditions — Islamic calligraphy, Sasanian heritage, and Byzantine medallion composition. The probable place of origin is often associated with Syria or the region of Antioch, a cultural crossroads between the Islamic world and Byzantium.

These textiles were not merely garments but powerful political instruments. Silk bearing inscriptions functioned as a visual declaration of authority.

Symbolism of the motifs

Camel and howdah

In Islamic and Persian culture, the camel symbolized prestige, mobility, and wealth.

The howdah — a ceremonial carriage mounted on the animal’s back — refers to court ritual and elite social status.

Eight-pointed star

The eight-pointed star represents harmony, order, and cosmic balance. The geometric structure also allowed for precise repetition of the pattern across large surfaces, a hallmark of courtly silk production.

Kufic inscription “al-mulk”

The word al-mulk means “sovereignty” or “dominion.” In its full form, al-mulk lillah (“Sovereignty belongs to God”), it conveys a strong theological and political message — that a ruler governs by divine will. Within the context of the Buyid dynasty, this was a clear expression of political legitimacy.

The entire composition is therefore not merely decorative, but a deliberate symbol of authority and courtly representation.

Who was this fabric intended for?

The original silk was intended for the elite — rulers, court dignitaries, and ceremonial settings. Such fabrics were used for festive caftans, cloaks, court textiles, curtains, and prestigious interior furnishings.

It was a costly and highly prestigious material that clearly signaled the wearer’s rank.

Suggested uses

This reproduction offers a historically faithful composition in a high-quality execution suitable for demanding costume projects, reenactment, and film production.

It is particularly suited for authentic historical costumes and decorative applications. At the same time, it can be beautifully incorporated into luxurious modern interiors or used as a striking element in contemporary fashion. 

It is also well suited for statement accessories such as belt pouches, cushions, or canopies.

Living history and reenactment

This brocade is exceptionally suitable for:

• Early medieval Islamic garments (10th–11th century)
• Costumes representing high-ranking figures — emirs, court officials, wealthy merchants
• Byzantine or Crusader-era settings with Eastern influence
• Reconstructions of ceremonial cloaks, caftans, dalmatics, or luxurious linings

For reenactors, it represents an authentic visual language of power.

Film and theater

For film and theatrical costume designers, this fabric offers:

• Immediate visual identification with the medieval “Orient”
• Historical credibility for narratives set during the Crusades
• A prestigious textile for courtly scenes
• The opportunity to create a powerful silhouette for a ruler or envoy

The motif also works beautifully in a broader context — including fantasy productions inspired by the medieval Near East, where refinement and the dignity of an ancient empire need to be conveyed.

Why choose historical fabrics from Sartor Bohemia

Our historical designs are developed with careful attention to the original sources, material integrity, and period-appropriate aesthetics. We focus on high-quality materials that perform not only visually, but also in construction and wear.

Our clients therefore know precisely what they are purchasing — and can create with confidence that the finished garment will meet both their expectations and historical standards.

Please note that this design is the intellectual property of SARTOR BOHEMIA.

About the fabric, sewing and care

This handwoven historical brocade is made of pure silk. It is lightweight, soft, and exceptionally pleasant to the touch. The fabric is fine yet densely woven and relatively durable for its delicacy.

Honest craftsmanship

This brocade is also unique for its artisan origin. It is hand woven in a small family-run workshop on a traditional mechanical loom specifically adapted for Sartor needs.

We are skipping all the intermediaries and going all the way down to the village level. Thanks to our direct cooperation, we can assure that everything we pay goes directly and only to artisan's families – from warpers and weavers to dyers.

Beauty in imperfection

Because this fabric is hand woven and hand designed, there may be slight irregularities in the weave. These tiny imperfections are not considered defects, but rather a natural feature of hand crafting.

Sewing advice

The reverse side of the brocade features floating threads. For this reason, we recommend using a lining made of natural fibers — ideally a silk lining or fine linen. For additional structure and stabilization, you may use silk organza or silk crêpeline as an underlayer.

Care instructions

• Because of the fine silk threads, machine washing is not recommended.
• Professional dry cleaning is advised.
• If you risk hand washing, use lukewarm water and a delicate detergent for woolens; do not wring or squeeze dry; block dry on a flat surface.
• Dry iron at low temperature from the reverse side, ideally with a pressing cloth.