The Influence of Animal Motifs of Sassanid Textiles on the Designs of Transoxiana Textiles

The art of Sassanid period is considered as the last stage of ancient Persian art. Animal motifs in Sassanid art have been identified as an important characteristic of Persian art because of their beauty and symbolic meanings. In the survey of Transoxiana’s art, the special influence of Sassanid art is quite remarkable. Imitation of various Sassanid designs, especially animal motifs, was common in the textiles of this area. Therefore, the main questions of this research are about the exchange of animal motifs and the reasons behind such common artistic themes between the artists of this region. The works of Persian art brought to the Transoxiana through different ways such as political, religious, cultural and commercial, created a number of common designs and motifs. In order to demonstrate the effects of animal motifs of Sassanid art on Transoxiana textiles, after reviewing special physical features and symbolic meanings of animal motifs used in Sassanid art, the reasons for the transfer and effectiveness of such motifs are investigated analytically. Moreover, comparing the obtained samples and explaining their similarities and differences, it is concluded that these motifs were transferred to this area through the Silk trade Road and were welcomed due to religious communalities existed between the residents of this region and Persian people. Finally, it can be said that the designs used in Transoxiana’s textiles have been under the direct influence of Sassanid art with a few differences.