An illustrated survey of the vivid and romantic textile tradition of Central Asia. The colour plates display the opulent silks and velvets, the exquisite embroideries, felts and woollen fabrics produced throughout the area in the workshops of the Silk Route, the houses of the smaller villages and towns and in the nomads' tents on their outdoor looms. The author describes the decorative motifs, the materials, dyes and looms; the types of objects made and their diverse regional and tribal variations; the clothes and costumes; and the lavish embroideries and embellishments.