DAYTON, OHIO.- The Dayton Art Institute presents Nomadic Weavings: Treasures from Eastern Looms, on view through September 25, 2005. These nomadic handmade weavings were solely for the purpose of family use and were a mainstay of household possessions. The women were the gifted weavers who created an amazing array of rugs, storage bags, tent straps, horse blankets, animal trappings and exquisite embroideries.

The families moved often during migrations and encampments. All of their possessions were stored in various types of bags and transported on horses and camels. The animals, strapped with saddle blankets, carried the tents and all the household goods. The food, such as grains, salt and flour, was stored in large and small bags and the bedding and flat weave (kelim) rugs in decorative bags in the tents.

The vivid colors, geometric patterns, stylized birds, animals, stars and medallions seen in these weavings reveal the ethnic identities of different tribes living in the Caucasus regions of Iran and Turkey.

The nomadic textiles featured in this exhibition are from the permanent collection of The Dayton Art Institute and on loan from the collections of Mr. Anderson, Dr. Sigmund R. Sugarman, Dr. & Mrs. Richard Cummings, Mr. Jay Heilman, Mr. Jeff Jeffers and Jamshid Oriental Rugs.