Golden Gallop

The Golden Gallop collection draws inspiration from the classical Chinese motif of Nine Steeds of Fortune 《九骏图》 and the richly illustrated Persian epic Shahnameh (The Book of Kings), bringing together two artistic traditions connected for centuries by the Silk Road. More than a network of trade routes, the Silk Road was a meeting place for ideas, craftsmanship, and visual culture, where artistic influences traveled between East and West, continually shaping one another.

At the heart of the composition is the legendary tale of Rustam pursuing the Golden Onager, one of the celebrated scenes from the 16th-century Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp, widely regarded as one of the finest achievements of Persian miniature painting. Ekin reimagines this narrative through the auspicious symbolism of the Nine Steeds, a longstanding emblem of strength, vitality, and good fortune in Chinese art. The collection brings these traditions together in an original composition that reflects the shared appreciation for movement, ornament, and the beauty of the natural world found across cultures.

The composition is realized through Ekin's proprietary Gold Kesi technique, translating the intricate detail of Persian miniature painting into a richly textured surface of precious metal. Delicate stitch patterns are carefully chosen to capture the flowing movement of the horses, the layered foliage, patterned textiles, and stylized landscape, allowing each element to retain its own character. Gold, and carefully calibrated color are built into successive layers, creating subtle variations in texture and reflection that reveal new details as light moves across the surface.

Created in celebration of the Year of the Horse, Golden Gallop reflects the enduring exchange of artistic ideas across cultures. Rooted in both Persian miniature painting and Chinese decorative traditions, it offers a contemporary interpretation of a shared visual heritage, where craftsmanship, storytelling, and symbolism come together in a single work.