Cambodian Silks

These silk textiles were made entirely by hand by a community of specialists in Cambodia, the Institute for Khmer Traditional Textiles.

They begin by raising silkworms from eggs, feeding them daily on the leaves of locally grown mulberry trees. From the cocoons, fine filaments of golden yellow silk are reeled and twisted for weaving. Processed leaves, bark and insects are used to dye the threads.

The pattern on traditional Khmer silk is known as ikat. It is created by binding sections of the weft (crosswise) thread before dyeing it. The dye does not color the tightly-bound sections. By repeating the tying and dyeing, an elaborate pattern can be created. The pattern emerges as the master weaver weaves the silk on her loom. Silk textiles with the minute ikat patterns of red, blue and green are the heart of the Khmer textile tradition.

IKTT (Institute for Khmer Traditional Textiles) is a non-profit organization which aims for the revival and diffusion of Khmer traditional textiles, and in so doing creating a means for artists to support themselves while preserving village traditions.

Khmer Traditional Textiles
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