David and Elizabeth Reisbord have given LACMA a collection of over 60 ikat (tie-dyed) robes and textiles from Central Asia, 19th to 20th century. The gift goes on view Feb. 3 to July 28, 2019, in "Power of Pattern: Central Asian Ikats from the David and Elizabeth Reisbord Collection."
David Reisbord, a neurologist, became interested in textiles during a trip to Guatemala in the 1970s. He came to focus on the colorful silk ikat robes of Central Asia. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, many spectacular heirlooms came on the market.
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| Ikat (detail), Central Asia, late 19th-early 20th century |
The Reisbord collection represents traditions of modern Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and neighboring nations. It fills a gap in LACMA's costumes and textiles collection, otherwise mostly European and American, with notable holdings of Islamic and South- and East Asian works.
Below: Ikat robes were made to be worn, as the Reisbords demonstrate.
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