Silk Through the Ages: The textile that conquered luxury

by Trina Callava

Overview

Silk is not just a simple fiber - it represents something meaningful, universal, perennial. This book tells the story of how the silk textile conquered the luxury world and remained prestigious throughout the ages. Examining sociological research dating back to Antiquity, the Mongol Empire, and Ottoman Turks, this book demonstrates the value of globalization and the importance of diversity through the lens of silk as an enduring luxury textile. This book will be highly marketable to international business students, and to consumers of sociology and history. It can also serve to inform the political science and international relations practitioners regarding trade debates between globalizers and protectionists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780999187111
Publisher:	LID Publishing
Publication date:	12/06/2018
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Trini Callava Ph.D. is a marketing lecturer at University of Miami's School of Business Administration, specializing in marketing strategy, luxury brands, and international marketing. She has an MBA in marketing and a Ph.D. in organization and management. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.

Table of Contents

Preface vi

Introduction viii

Dedication xi

Part I Silk, An Inimitable Product

Introduction 4

1.1 The 'Bombyx Mori' Silkworm 6

1.2 Mulberry Tree Cultivation 13

1.3 Harvesting Cocoons 18

1.4 Reeling Silk 21

1.5 Silk Processing 24

1.6 Silk Waste 28

1.7 Quality Of Silk 32

1.8 Properties Of Silk 34

1.9 Silk Applications 36

Part II Silk In The Age Of Antiquity

Introduction 42

2.1 Early Origins Of Trade In The Hellenistic World 44

2.2 Origins Of Silk In China 49

2.3 Migration In The Steppe 56

2.4 Roman Trade, Parthians And Palmyrans 60

2.5 The Sassanian Empire 65

2.6 On Religions 68

2.7 Heavenly Ferghana Horses 70

Part III Pre-Modern Times

Introduction 74

3.1 Sogdian Pre-Eminent Merchants 76

3.2 'Ceremonial' Byzantium 80

3.3 Islamic Caliphates 89

3.4 Tang Dynasty, Openness 95

3.5 Ottoman Court Spectacle 103

3.6 Mongol Golden Glow 117

Part IV Modern Times

Introduction 124

4.1 China's Ming And Qing Dynasties 126

4.2 Safavid's Great Fusion 134

4.3 Silk Goes West 138

4.4 Silk Today 143

Appendix: Silk Industry Sectors Of Focus 167

Part V Conclusion

5.1 The Legacy 170

5.2 Silk As Luxury And Catalyst Of Trade 177

5.3 Silk Defines Luxury 184

5.4 Final Thoughts 189

References 193

An Introduction To Trini Callava 203

Editorial Reviews

"Back in economic history, we find that a Dutch philosopher from the 17th century — Mandeville — elicited luxury as the sole support for the economy to work. the Scottish Adam Smith, a century later — well-known as the father of economics — was heavily influenced by Mandeville. Trini Callava went with all vigor back to history, and thoroughly pursued a profound study of silk — an icon of luxury of all times — as key not to just social and economic order, but also, an anthropological need. The strategy of luxury should be a core study in all business schools." —Alejandro Ruelas-Gossi, PhD, Clinical Professor of Strategy and Innovation, Universidad de Navarra, School of Economics & Business "Trini takes a unique perspective to explore and understand the remarkable journey of silk through the ages as a symbol of luxury. In this journey, the reader will get a chance to ponder culture, consumerism, and globalization." —Michael Tsiros, PhD, Patrick J. Cesarano Professor and Chair of Marketing, Universityof Miami Business School

From the Publisher