Istanbul (Turkey), c. 273 (323) x 36 cm, end of the 17th century, silk brocades such as the present one, better known as “Polish sash”, were originally manufactured in Keshan and exported through Turkey to Poland, where they were destined to the higher nobility;
as a result of strong demand, however, Armenians living in Constantinople soon took over the production of sashes, and in the 18th century weaving manufactories also emerged in Poland – the best-known local producers were Paschalis Jakubovicx and Paschal Lamm, who marked their pieces with a monogram and wove them with a folding design;
sashes, such as the present one, used to be worn by the Polish elite as a belt over the “Kontusz” coat, as a status accessory, exposing the simpler side on weekdays and the lavishly decorated one on Sundays; the present piece is decorated on only one side, without monogram, and must hence be regarded as an early, extremely rare item from the Orient;
two-tone silk in plain weave with transversal silver brocading, a high percentage of brocading with silk floral embroidery at the ends as well on the long borders, metal ornamental fringes still entirely preserved;
this piece, folded on the reverse, is shortened by about 50 cm, displays a few minor flaws, an open sewn area, corner damage as well as slight edge damage, stained, a long side on the reverse backed with silk fabric and rings for hanging. (MA)

Further reading:
Jan Samek, Polskie Rzemioslo.