Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Making textiles requires mathematical skills: both arithmetic and geometry are used to translate a pattern into a woven structure or textile surface design.

The relationship of warp to weft determines the surface of the cloth, and the weaver learns to translate this into a pattern. The result may be a simple combination of stripes or a complex tapestry design.

Patterns applied to the woven cloth may also require counting skills and sophisticated planning of space. These embroideries and printed textiles depend on both. Counted stitches are the basis of the embroidery, and principles of symmetry are essential when designing with printing blocks.

Textile fragment with leaf scrolls, palmettes, and triangles (EA1984.176)   Textile fragment with vines, leaves, and flower-heads (EA1984.462)   Textile fragment with interlocking hexagons and diamond-shapes (EA1984.463)

Textile fragment with linked circles and rosettes (EA1990.1099)   Textile fragment with elaborate rosettes, tendrils, and leaves (EA1990.240)   Textile fragment with star and pseudo-inscription (EA1993.357)