Beyond the Silk Road presents the Powerhouse Museum's stunning collection of costume, textiles, rugs, lithographs of designs and metalwork from Central Asia.Vivid images record the stunning textiles of the region. Nomadic and city rugs, embroidered hangings, tent bands and horse trappings reflect the extremes and interactions of tribal and urban lifestyles; while splendid horse-jewelry reflects the key role of these animals in nomad life. The accompanying essays go beyond a simple focus on style, productions and history to look at the nexus between the nomadic and settled cultures of Central Asia, and the fascinating and bloodstained history of this wild and beautiful region.