What is the history of the textile arts?
Textile artifacts are printed, embroidered, knitted, woven or tapestry-woven fabrics of various materials and periods, as well as the three-dimensional objects made from them, such as covers, clothing and furnishings. In their diversity, they often cross media, geographical and historical boundaries, requiring an interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching.
The history of textile arts explores the production, use, display and circulation of textiles and textile objects in their respective cultural contexts from the early Middle Ages to the 19th century. It engages with and reflects upon the methodology, theory and historiography of textile studies.