Elephant or Stork? Laotian Silk Weaving
Elephant? Stork? Dragon? Who is it that lurks in this amazing antique silk weaving from Laos? And who are the two little one riding on his back? If one doesn’t … Continue reading
Summer Birds
Peacocks in Shawls & Cockerels in Rugs.
If you too would like to spend time birding from your armchair follow me…
When you can’t go Outside.. Lockdown Activity #99
So here I am staring at my screen and conducting a full census of all the animals that live with me in my antique textiles and artworks…
Textiles in a Textile – Study of a 17th C Kalamkari – 3
A study of Costumes & Textiles in a 17th century Kalamkari textile. Note not just the prints and motifs but also the style of the stitched garments! A must-study for … Continue reading
The Best Exotic Azeri Shaddah Weaving
(Title inspired by the Hollywood film Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) So after rummaging through the internet for Shaddahs or Shaddas, I have come to appreciate mine even more than ever. … Continue reading
Someday Soon…
Someday soon we’ll go for a ride…. someday when the world is safe again. Until then, let’s all stay indoors & safe! Some days we’ll ride on the animal… and … Continue reading
Book – Himalayan Treasures
It is nice to see a new book on a subject that is of interest. And it is even nicer to receive a mention in tje ‘Acknowledgements’ page! To be … Continue reading
When the Treasure Chest is itself a Treasure…
When the Treasure chest is itself a treasure, how should one store the treasure chest? In the world of art and crafts there seems to be no end to the … Continue reading
Textiles in Ancient Indian Murals
Ikat and other Textile Patterns in Ancient Wall Murals in South India ❤️
Hybrid Art 8 – Gurmukhi Script in a Hindu Prayer Book
I am not a formal student of Indian Miniature paintings but have seen a few here and there and can now identify the Kashmir style of art. These paintings are … Continue reading
Textiles in a Textile – Study of a 17th C Kalamkari – 2
Textiles & Costumes of the 17th Century depicting Indian & Persian styles. How many can you count in this one? The only frustration is that we cannot make out … Continue reading
WHO are these MEN?
Fascinating to find five men lurking in a soumac rug fragment….. Here they are! Am assuming they are men because of the hair. The lower half is mermaidesque … am … Continue reading
Hybrid Art 7 – Kashmir Shawl
Finding pieces that are ‘pure’ in their identity is always a pleasure. But finding pieces that have some hybrid qualities adds excitement to the process of discovery of the character … Continue reading
Who knew! Butterfly Wing Art
Who could have imagined that the world went through a phase in which they made paintings using butterfly wings! With a short lifespan of 2 weeks, it may well be … Continue reading
Textiles in a Textile – Study of a 17th C Kalamkari
A fabulous work of art that also presents us with a glimpse of textiles and costumes in use in India in the 17th century. This rumal bears a date and … Continue reading
A Flock of Sheep in the Living Room
From the late 1800s many towns of the Kuba district were centres of production for Soumac rugs but most were produced in workshops and exhibited a certain order in the … Continue reading
Signs of Ageing
Last year as I took out some of white-base Thirma Phulkari shawls for a client, I could not help noticing the huge difference in the colors of the base cloth … Continue reading
Museum Walk – African Masks & More
A Photo essay on the amazing African collection of the De Young museum, San Francisco. There are about 150 photos so get your cup of coffee and enjoy this virtual … Continue reading
Hybrid Art 6 – Swat Pillow Case
A hybrid textile that memetically straddles two worlds … The motif is from Caucasus region and often seen in wool rugs while the execution in this piece from the Swat … Continue reading
Hybrid Art – 5 – Himalayan Ornament
Here is a hybrid from the Himalayas. A Taweez is worn to ward off the evil eye and is a concept that finds favor in Islamic communities. But in this … Continue reading
Hybrid Art – 4 – Phulkari Shawl
667 Amazing Sar Pallu on a navy blue Nilak base cloth. The impact of the gold & magenta against the deep blue base is amazing! But the remarkable aspect of this … Continue reading
