Believed to be one of the earliest textiles, felt has been made by the nomadic peoples of Central Asia for over 2,500 years and the craft still thrives today as an integral part of their culture. Valued for both its functional and decorative qualities, felt is used to make yurts and all manner of objects relating to daily life, such as carpets, interior fittings, carrying bags, saddle cloths and clothing. Traditional feltmaking is also still practised in many other parts of the world, and this book is the first comprehensive overview. It looks in particular detail at the Turkic and Mongol traditions, which include felt from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Xinjiang and from Mongolia, Tibet, Bhutan and South-East Asia respectively, as well as closely associated styles from Afghanistan and the Caucasus. Iranian, Turkish and Indian felts reveal historical influences from the Middle East, and felts from Romania, Hungary and Japan are also covered. As well as the history and technology of feltmaking, the book will explore patterns and symbolism. Illustrated with spectacular textiles from museums in Britain, the United States, Russia and Europe, as well as field photographs, archival material and details of motifs, this book will provide a unique insight into nomadic life as well as an inspirational source of designs for textile specialists.

Stephanie Bunn is a lecturer at St Andrews University and an Honourary Research Fellow at Manchester University, as well as teaching occasionally for the Open University and the Central St Martin's School of Art. She has made several collections of felts for museums in Britain, and was anthropological consultant to the exhibition 'Striking Tents: Central Asian Nomad Felts from Kyrgyzstan' (Museum of Mankind, 1997).