Dilemma
In principle, if all else – character, beauty, etc – is the same what would YOU prefer? OPTION A: A piece from the mid 1900s that is in good condition … Continue reading
Hidden Gems – new sightings in old acquisitions!
In an embroidery rich in texture and motifs and age, it was easy to miss the 5th color used sparingly – it hid within the flowers – almost shy of … Continue reading
Saving Beauty
We all need something to love, something to serve, and something to save… A piece came my way that is needs some tender loving care. Besides the fact that it … Continue reading
Tales the Phra Malai Thai Manuscripts tell!
It will be years before I will be able to understand all the stories contained in the few Phra Malai manuscripts that I’ve seen! Some are stories from the life … Continue reading
Who doesn’t enjoy Music in the Park!
MUSIC IN THE PARK – Notes in Silk!!! Just received this beauty made in Canton a century ago! Am yet to count the number of instruments being played in this … Continue reading
More Strength to the Camel’s Back!
Here’s a beauty that will strengthen the proverbial camel’s back …. With something so gorgeous to call his own, no last straw will ever have the strength to break his … Continue reading
Science & Art in the Tibetan Astrological Calendar Sidpaho
Predicting the future and fortunes of an individual based on the movement of the planets across the reference matrix of the constellations, presupposes knowledge of astronomy. With very few instruments … Continue reading
Beaded Textiles from Rajasthan?!!
Just noticed the fabulous beadwork on a shawl from Rajasthan that I’ve had for awhile. Endless delights in old acquisitions… All from the WOVENSOULS collection! ❤️
Textile Pride
Here’s what you get when a country is proud of its textile culture: Very impressive PDA (Public Display of Affection)! Aug 2017 All photos from the internet
Online Exhibition – Tampan Ship Cloths from Sumatra
Introduction The magnetic appeal of Textile Arts, to me, is directly proportional to – the art – the craft – the symbolism – the cultural story and – the usage … Continue reading
Architectural Art to take home – Prints
Too often I want to take home the architecture or stone carvings or the fabulous mammoth statues! That is simply not possible for many many reasons. But we can take … Continue reading
Rickshaw or Car?
The wonders never cease in the world of textile art! Am off on a new armchair exploration! And will happily drag along anyone who will listen (or read) through the … Continue reading
Guess Who – Evil or Good?
Guess who is featured in this Lithograph from the Raja Ravi Varma Press? At first I thought this is Ravana – the king who was so intelligent that the artists … Continue reading
How to Romance A Prince … A visual guide
‘How to romance a Prince’ – A visual guide for novices … May be tried with princes both before and after tbey metamorphose from the frog stage. just kidding 😊 … Continue reading
Yao Legends through Rare Folk Art Paintings
Presenting 4 paintings from the Yao group of Vietnam. Yao paintings are always full of character and layers of stories embedded within. But these 4 paintings have two characteristics that … Continue reading
Jai Ho Lord Jagannath
A Puri Jatri Patti artwork to celebrate the Lord Jagannath Yatra festival that is happenninf now in Puri, Odisha Jai Ho! June 2017
An Antique Selfie
Embroidered picture of a woman doing embroidery!! And the millenials thought they were the ones to invent selfies!! From an early 1900s shawl. More about that later… 😊
Life in the Years / Years in the Life
“It’s not the years in the life that matter – it is the life in the years that count”
Kammavaca Art – Buddhist Manuscripts from Myanmar
Exploring the art in Ancient Buddhist manuscripts
Running Out of Sand – Random Musings
The sands of time are not unlimited …. and each walks a finite journey. Some moments we stop in the journey to catch our breath and reflect And that is … Continue reading
Houses & Homes
“The house is the stage set for the drama we hope our lives will be….
Art – A Bridge to the Past – Reading a Janam Patri from Raja Bhom’s era
Exploring an old scroll from Rajasthan from the time of Raja Bhom
Daily Art Fix – Antique Burma Manuscript
Exploring an antique Buddhist manuscript from Burma, dated 1874
Astrological Calendars – 8 – Tibetan Calendar
The Tibetan calendar begins at Losar and has either 12 or 13 months each beginning and ending with the new moon. Every two or three years a 13th month is … Continue reading
Astrological Calendars – 7 – Mongolian Charts
Mongolian Buddhism is heavily influenced by the Tibetan form that combines Vajrayana Buddhism with Tantric concepts. But Mongolian Buddhism had a unique identity too. Introduced during the period of the … Continue reading
Astrological Calendars – 6 – Batak Calendar
The Batak Calendar system has 12 months and follows the phases of the moon and the sighting of the constellations. Some basic facts the month is divided into 3 groups … Continue reading
Astrological Calendars – 5 – Thai Calendar
In Thailand, as in most of Asia, the lunar calendar contains twelve or thirteen months in a year, with 15 waxing moon and 14 or 15 waning moon days in … Continue reading
Astrological Calendars – 4 – Myanmar Mandala Spirit Cloths
Mandala Spirit Cloths from Myanmar were commissioned by families of means and created by learned men and monks. They are believed to have healing / protective powers and the power … Continue reading
Astrological Calendars – 3 – Astrological Birth Charts
Part 3 in the series of notes on Astrological Calendars A janampatri or kundali is a Birth Chart prepared as per Vedic Astrology. It is a particular system of prediction … Continue reading
Astrological Calendars – 2 – Palelitangan Calendars of Bali
Part 2 on the series of notes on Astrological Calendars The Balinese calendar integrates the Indian-derived lunar (saka) calendar with an indigenous system of weekly cycles (wuku) which constitute a … Continue reading
Astrological Calendars – 1 – Palindon Calendars of Bali
Palindon are calendars depicting the 12 months and the deity associated with that month. The painted scenes for each month illustrate the written predictions. The style is characteristic of the … Continue reading
Foretelling the Future in the Past – Astrological Calendars
In the past, the future seems to have been a very important idea and the ability to foretell it conferred immense powers on those who could make accurate predictions. Beginning … Continue reading
The Astitva Project – A Report on the Micro Project in Ladakh – Chapter 2
The Story They say that ‘when the weight of the paperwork equals the weight of the plane, the plane will fly’ – stressing the importance of the planning that must … Continue reading
Antique Cheriyal Painted Scroll – Art for Oral Traditions
In South Indian Paintings – A catalogue of the British Museum collection, A. L. Dallaiccola notes “Although in the past the majority of Indian people might have been illiterate, they … Continue reading
A Yao Ceremonial Mask
On a trip in 2009, I got this Yao mask from back of the bottom drawer of a store owned by an elderly couple. The beautiful woman and I shared … Continue reading
Spotlight on Exceptional Phulkari Bagh Textiles
Inspired by the ongoing exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we have focused our spotlight on the exceptional Phulkari Baghs in the wovensouls collection. Enjoy the Visual Feast
Aesthetics and Intrigue – The appeal of Dayak Art
Dayak Art has a unique character that is easily recognisable visually. The swirls and curls that are used to create any picture are employed in the artworks of many Dayak … Continue reading
Variety of Textiles within Antique Yao / Zhuang Ceremonial Scrolls – 2
Continuing to study the diversity in the two Yao paintings, with a focus on costumes in this note. In each do take note of the composition of the costume – … Continue reading
Variety within Antique Yao / Zhuang Ceremonial Scrolls – 1
On studying the pair of paintings that are as tall as I am, I am struck by the variety in 2 aspects: 1) facial features and 2) costumes The diversity … Continue reading
External Article: Chamba Rumal Embroidered Textiles
A primer on Chamba Rumal: Link Apr 2017
Himalayan Art, Style and Fashion
A look at the ornate headdress of the Himalayan Aryan People
Textiles and more in the Kerta Gosa Museum – Bali
On my visit to the small museum in Kerta Gosa, Bali (2015) I did not expect to find any textiles. paintings yes – because that area is famous for paintings. … Continue reading
Old Buddhist Painted Parables on Furniture
Parables – simple stories used to illustrate a spiritual lesson – are found in every religion. But this way of painting these stories on furniture is unique. Was it a … Continue reading
A look at Miao Embroidery
“Miao embroidery is a unique and incredible skill—weaving actual metal thread into intricate patterns to create beautiful garments. A tradition over 500 years old, Miao tin embroidery is sadly a … Continue reading
Textiles in Christian Art at The Met Museum
One’s bias comes alive when, in the face of several beautiful works, one pays greater attention to that single categories that our hearts favor. And so, even at the Met, … Continue reading
Ancient Christian Art at The Met
Just photos of some amazing artworks created a few centuries ago … From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Choosing A Wedding Dress – Swat Valley Textiles
Choosing is wedding dress can be tough – especially when each is a stunning work of textile art. Presenting a few vintage and antique bridal dresses from the Swat Valley region
Ballad by the Bauls of Bengal
A glimpse of the music by the Bauls the wandering minstrels of Bengal
Contemporary or Traditional?
Any guesses where this lovely pair of earrings might be from?
The Art in Future Foretold – Antique Horoscope
Art in a Sanskrit Hindu Horoscope Manuscript Scroll dated 1811
