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
Museum Walk – Papua New Guinea Shields & Spirit Boards
A visit to the De Young Museum enthralls even though I had NO clue what was looking at. The culture is brought out in the art, but sadly, clueless me … Continue reading
Museum Walk – Asian Art Museum
An ambitious name that includes all of Asia. I wonder if they knew what they were getting into when they started … For Asia is the home of diversity and … Continue reading
Installing Rugs on the Wall – The Met
Fascinating 2 minute film! *** Sep 2019
Jewelry – Style of Ancient Gods
The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco has a fabulous collection of ancient Buddhist & Hindu Temple statues. As I saw the various stone masterpieces, I could not help noticing … Continue reading
Art Connoiseurs – Have you registered yet?
On WOVENSOULS.com – the little gallery of antique art, we welcome art lovers of tribal and ethnic Asian art to sign up here. Twice or thrice a year I send … Continue reading
Worth a Look: Coffin Art from Ghana
The concept of coffin art is intriguing isn’t it? See more in the Exhibition: Ghanaian Fantasy Coffins For a riveting slideshow online see the website of photographer Regula Tschumi here. … Continue reading
The Sawantwadi Palace
A walk around the charming old Palace building of Sawantwadi, in South Maharashtra just a few km from Goa. The overall building layout and the minor accents are native to … Continue reading
Sentinels & Thresholds
The threshold is a very important line in a traditional Indian home. It is washed and decorated beautifully every day with auspicious symbols drawn in powder by the woman of … Continue reading
Silken flowers from Gujarat India
One more fabulous piece from Gujarat! At first I thought it was a print … until I read the explanatory note! ❤️ This textile is from the V & A … Continue reading
A Kalamkari Coverlet – Antique Indian Textiles
A visit to any museum can be exhausting and the maximum I can handle is about 1 – 2 hours of exposure. In any given hall there are always too … Continue reading
The Bridal Sari of the erstwhile Queen of Sawantwadi 1922
I’ve seen a dozen or so amazing antique zari saris but none has been as unusual as this one seen in the museum of Sawantwadi, This shalu – a zari … Continue reading
Museum of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings
In Trivandrum in the old city area one of the buildings in the museum complex houses several paintings by Raja Ravi Varma. Photography is not allowed inside so for my … Continue reading
Wovensouls at The Arts House, Singapore
For those who couldn’t make it an event report in pictures: Spending the day amidst these gifts from the past make me forget the concept of time How is it … Continue reading
“Heirlooms” – Exhibition Report
A fabulous exhibition – great reviews from the guests, stimulating conversations, free flow of adulation for the artworks and brisk movement of unforgettable pieces to new homes! If you were … Continue reading
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
Museum Walk – Lacquered Papier Mache Art
Just a few photos of one more form of art – lacquered papier-mache objects. Manuscript covers and pen cases are the most common items in this type of art. … Continue reading
The Tragedy of Uprooted Art
There are all forms of art in the world. Some portable and transferable and others that were meant to remain where they were created. At a recent visit to a … Continue reading
Exhibition: Buddhist Art of India
New exhibition – ‘Buddhist Art of India’ in collaboration with Indian Museum, Kolkata. 30th Oct 2015 – 30th Nov 2015 National Museum, New Delhi
Treasures of The Carpet Museum, Istanbul
No words .. Just photos. … Continue reading
The Sea Shell Museum – Viewing the world through the Awe of Another!
Picking up shells along the beach is something we all do. Every shell is unique and they fascinate all of us at least for a few moments. And then we … Continue reading
My first lesson in Fine Art
Having never ventured into the world of fine art – modern or classic, I was tentative about the subject. What if I did not understand anything, what if I did … Continue reading
The Patan Patola Heritage Museum
Private Patan Patola Museum opened in Gujarat. Sept 2014.
From Ashgabat to Istanbul – Exhibition at the Textile Museum of Canada
A report of the visit to the Textile Museum of Canada at Toronto’s exhibition of Oriental Rugs from Canadian Collections “From Ashgabat to Istanbul’. First published on Jozan magazine.
A visit to the ‘Florentine Renaissance Exhibit’ at the Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai
Life is short. With time running out and only a few years left to live (definitely less than 30) I find myself making a stronger effort to make time for … Continue reading
Royal Cradles of Rajasthan
As I walk through the Mehrangarh Fort Museum hall exhibiting royal cradles, I cannot help but think about babies & nurturing & child-raising, about the tenets of parenting and the … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum – The Glass Collection
“By the turn of the 19th century, the Indian Maharajahs were fascinated by the luxuries of the West. Among their favorite luxury items was the glassware. During their travels in Europe, … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Museum – The Clock Collection
I have heard of strange collections – a collection of railway engines and a collection hangman’s nooses! But most collectors however focus on simpler objects – like coins and clocks. … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum – Paintings
Paintings are all two-dimensional and we view them in the plane that is perpendicular to the plane in which both our eyes lie. So if a painting is mounted on … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum – Jodhpur
When performance does not match expectation it results in disappointment. Years I had heard about this palace & museum and wanted to see it since then. We were all … Continue reading
Salar Jung Museum – The Veiled Rebecca Marble
The piece that brought fame to the Salar Jung Museum Collection “Veiled Rebecca” – marble sculpture by Benzoni. The art lies in the way the artist has captured the fragility … Continue reading
Salar Jung Museum – Indian Miniature Painting Collection
The best places to train the eye in any category of art or antiques, are museums and reputed dealers. In a single location a diverse set is viewable. In most … Continue reading
Salar Jung Museum – The Mughal Glass Collection
Mughal Glass constitutes a very prominent landmark in the history of glass in India. Under the reign of Akbar glass factories flourished but the best examples of Mughal glass were … Continue reading
Salar Jung Museum – The Ivory Collection
The pictures say it all!! The museum boasts of a collection of unimaginable ivory items such as a coach, coffee tables & chairs, and window panes! Other functional items such … Continue reading
Salar Jung Museum – The Walking Stick Collection
Salar Jung-III must have been an interesting man. For, a collection as diverse and as interesting as this, requires before all else, the keen eye of the beholder to see … Continue reading
The day I almost missed a Flight – Textiles of the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad
In the late 80s I had heard about the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad and the things I heard evoked a desire to visit. Life came in the way between … Continue reading
Traditional Textiles of South India
A museum is a visual & experiential library. A museum presents a culture through its various arts. A visit is always an eye-opener and we find out things that we … Continue reading
Traditional Architecture & Art in the Houses of South India
How can a house that is so simple, serene and peaceful be the cause of the debilitating greed that arises in me when I view it? Every house that I … Continue reading
Textile Exhibition at the Metropolitan Musuem of Art
Worth a visit – if you can visit in real life or even online!! On until Jan 5th, 2014. See the Online exhibition here The piece that I loved and … Continue reading
The Calico Museum – an unforgettable experience
Recently I came upon this book. And it reminded me of my visit to the Calico musuem. Set in Ahmedabad, this is one of the most venerated museums in Indian … Continue reading
The Magnificent Stone Artefacts of the Odisha State Museum
Orissa has been the seat of rich ancient civilizations and some of the archaeological finds have been displayed at the State Museum, Bhubaneshwar. Museums in the cities of India are … Continue reading
Mini Photo Exhibit at the Singapore Art Museum Satellite Unit Opening at Taman Jurong
In pictures 5 photograph prints were selected for display at the opening of the Singapore Art Museum at Taman Jurong CC. The objective of having satellite units is to bring … Continue reading
Quill Art of the First People
A short slideshow on the Quill Art of the first people of North America. But first some interesting facts about quillwork : Quillwork, the oldest form of embroidery of … Continue reading
Costumes of the First People – a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum
Feel like watching a fashion show? Visit the Royal Ontario Museum and view their rexhibits on the costumes of the First People. These works of textile art are housed at … Continue reading
Epic Photographer – Edward Curtis, an extraordinary life
Every time I click images of vanishing tribes the motivating idea that drives me is that in a small way I am capturing history as it passes. There is a … Continue reading
Inuit Art – whale bone sculptures Mc Cord Museum
On a casual stroll through the Mc Cord museum in Montreal I stumbled upon many delightful facts! Whale bone art sculptures that depicted scenes from daily life were interesting mainly … Continue reading
Textile Art of South East Asia at the Asian Civilsations Museum
An album from a forgotten visit in 2007 to the Asian Civilisations Museum …. taken with a camera I do not even remember. A photography experience that probably made me … Continue reading
Tribal Textile Art of Kutch – the Bhuj Folk Art Museum
A self explanatory photo-essay showcasing the mirrorwork & embroidery of various tribes in the Kutch region of Gujarat India. But first an introduction to the two lovely ladies from the … Continue reading
Textile Art of Mizoram, The Lunglei Museum Collection
A walk through the textile & jewelry section of the Museum of Lunglei, the remotest town in the North Eastern state of Mizoram, India. Details of these pieces are available … Continue reading
Turban Art – the Crowning Glory of Indian Men
Turbans serve many uses for Indian men. They provide relief from the sun and a touch of color to the simple male costume. The loose ends are used as handkerchiefs, … Continue reading
Head Hunting Trophies
The British had banned head hunting during the days of the Raj and ordered that all trophies – such as skulls of enemy tribes – be destroyed. Most tribes complied. … Continue reading
Ancient Murals of Alchi Monastery – an art-collector’s delight
Alchi is a sleepy and simple unglorified village about 70 km to the West of Leh. Nothing in its approach route or in the buildings and structures of the village … Continue reading
Antique Jain Paintings, India
Jainism as a religion has harmony with all elements of nature as one of the core beliefs. Non violence, minimalistic living and compassion are values central to its philosophy. All … Continue reading
Antique Sculptures of Buddha
Crowned Buddha in Dharmachakra, 11th century. This sculpture is a typical representation of ‘Pala’ art found in Bihar, India. Many such scultpures were placed in niches around the Bodh Gaya … Continue reading
Shadow Puppets of Malaysia, Indonesia & South India
Wayang Kulit is the name given to folk ‘shadow’ puppet shows performed in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The puppe tperformances are usually story telling mediums and most stories narrate excerpts … Continue reading
Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an – a photo gallery
Made of . These and other artifacts like bells, cranes, amulets and weapons are all widely speculated by experts to be part of the recreation of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s … Continue reading
Antique Java Topeng Masks and Wayang Topeng
Wayang Topeng is an Indonesian dance form that uses masks such as the ones shown below, that evolved in the 16th century. Performances enact Javanese stories about 12th century heroes … Continue reading
Intricate Nyonya Glass Beadwork – antique pieces from the Peranakan Museum, Singapore
Peranakan culture expresses itself in many unique ways and the glass bead embroidery on articles of daily use is probably the prettiest of all Peranakan cultural signatures. Glass bead … Continue reading
Exquisite Vintage Kebayas – the costume of the Peranakan culture
Peranakan, Baba-Nyonya and Straits Chinese are terms used for descendants of the very early Chinese immigrants to the Nusantara region of British controlled Malaya and the Dutch controlled Java among … Continue reading
Pattachitra Art of Assam
Pattachitra is similar to ‘storyboards’ or stories told along with pictures. The tales depicted are usually derived from epics such as Bhagawat and Ramayana. In ancient India, this art was … Continue reading
Rural art & crafts of Assam
Art arises as an expression of common people as expressions of culture, expression of religion and expression of belief. In cases where the art form finds a patron, the technique … Continue reading
Textile Art of the Ahom Kingdom – Guwahati Museum Collection
The Ahoms are a community found largely in Assam. This community consists of the descendants of ethnic Tai people who accompanied the Tai prince Sukaphaa who established the Ahom kingdom … Continue reading
The Vishalla Collection
This amazing collection of antique metal pots, pans, and containers is housed in Ahmedabad. That this museum is not the core engagement of the collector comes as a surprise to … Continue reading
