The turban: a history from east to west

Abstract

"A turban is a strip of cloth folded and wrapped around the head; however, this description includes multifarious forms across space and time. This book follows the turban as it moves from the Arabian Peninsula through the Ottoman Empire to Europe and the Americas. It directs the reader's gaze from traditional and religious uses of the turban into the realms of international trade, Renaissance art and contemporary fashions. Turbans, as this book shows, have moved in and out of Western culture, at times considered archaic and forgotten, then noticed and reinstated as major accessories. Today Sikh men are recognized by their distinctive headwraps, and the turban remains an important part of Black culture. This book explores the turban's many adaptations worldwide"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents

Introduction -- A path into western iconography -- Trade, diplomacy and depiction -- Nabobs, adventurers and travellers -- Masques and turquerie -- Riding the magic carpet -- A neoclassical accessory -- Individual expressions : Africa and the Caribbean -- Cultural tourism and authenticity since 1900.