The Art Blog by WOVENSOULS.COM

Notes on Culture & Antique Art, Ethnic Decor & Vintage Fashion | Wovensouls Art Gallery

Map of Srinagar in Embroidery!!

Should I bid on it? I WOULD if I COULD but I CAN’T so I WON’T My bank balance won’t allow it 🙂 So for those who can – this … Continue reading

March 30, 2022 · Leave a comment

The Circle of Life ~ Antique Kantha Motif

CIRCLE OF LIFE Welcoming a new cycle … A fresh year, a clean slate ….a new beginning. Let’s move on, let’s leave behind the old, let’s make more memories, let’s … Continue reading

January 4, 2022 · Leave a comment

Stay Tuned: Report on Cultural Use of Phulkaris coming soon….

Old books on the culture of Punjab surround me. Notes from the fieldwork done in 8 cities in Punjab surround me. 29 white & red Phulkaris surround me. And a … Continue reading

August 5, 2021 · 1 Comment

Spot The Difference

Remember the game we played as kids? I see it in some newspapers and magazines once in a way. Here’s a chance for us textile lovers to play it within … Continue reading

June 20, 2021 · Leave a comment

The Dancing Girl with the Parrot – Kalamkari from the 17th C

Have you been introduced this lovely lady? Have you seen her lovely clothes and lovely jewels? Is that a hand fan she is carrying? What is she saying to her … Continue reading

March 5, 2021 · 3 Comments

What is this Figurative Weft Ikat?

Any idea? Nearly 5 metres long this textile has motifs of boats, people, animals and unrecognisable creatures. Acquired from a late Canadian collector who acquired it from the Indonesian archipelago … Continue reading

August 28, 2019 · Leave a comment

A Bird Watcher’s Delight

I’d heard of Bird Rugs ….usually associated with Afshar group of South Persia. Something like this:   But now I’m seeing a Bird Shawl! This Cantonese work of art has … Continue reading

August 21, 2019 · Leave a comment

Rare Swat Wedding Shawl with ‘Self’ Embroidery

Just when I’d thought I’d seen the complete range of the niche textile art from Swat Valley, along comes a piece that challenges that belief and nudges me out of my smug stupor.  – Exploring a Rare Swat Valley Artwork

December 18, 2018 · Leave a comment

A Gift from Grandma

Just launched a NEWS! page on WOVENSOULS.COM

The mini-magazine has 5-6 interesting sections …

November 7, 2018

Sleeping Under The Stars

My evening on the terrace has often turned into night. Alone with the stars and the sound of the sea and the darkness, I have found myself lying on the … Continue reading

September 30, 2018 · 1 Comment

Artwork of the Day 

Amazing Ethnic Art worn by a very small minority group in Guizhou China.  Asset 228 on WOVENSOULS.COM Enjoy the Visual Feast!  

June 8, 2018 · Leave a comment

Manila Manton Shawls – Early Global Textiles

Presenting a small online exhibition of palimpsest textiles – with layers of art, craft and culture contained within: The Canton Shawl aka Manila Manton aka Fringed Flapper Shawl

April 12, 2018 · Leave a comment

Daily Art Fix – Saris as Textile Art!

Seen at the Victoria & Albert museum jaina mishra Feb 2018

February 8, 2018 · Leave a comment

Daily Art Fix – from Gujarat again!

Late 14th–early 15th century printed textile – Gujarat! Met Museum https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/72747 Celebrate Gujarat!! Feb 2018 jaina mishra| wovensouls View more exquisite antique textiles and more on

February 7, 2018 · Leave a comment

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

February 5, 2018 · Leave a comment

Soldiers in Silk – Guns & Roses

This mesmerising silk Amli embroidery on a square pashmina shawl is from the 1800s and depicts soldiers circling around a thriving establishment. Note the deliberately highlighted flowers (roses?) amidst the … Continue reading

February 4, 2018 · 1 Comment

Daily Art Fix – An Antique Robe with Amli Embroidery

Works such as these remind us of the value added simply by the skill of an artist! The wool and the silk and the scissors could have made a robe … Continue reading

February 4, 2018 · 1 Comment

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

January 23, 2018 · 2 Comments

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

December 27, 2017 · 6 Comments

Walking the Dog

And the bird in the cage. Scene in a double sided embroidery from the early 1900s.  But could well have been a snapshot from modern day Singapore!  More photos of … Continue reading

November 12, 2017 · Leave a comment

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

September 21, 2017 · Leave a comment

ENJOYING WOVENSOULS? LEAVE A REVIEW

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Join 1,038 other subscribers

REVIEWS OF THE WOVENSOULS ART GALLERY

WOVENSOULS REVIEWS

BLOG STATS

  • 553,245 views since 2010

SEE THE 500+ ARTWORKS SOLD ON WOVENSOULS.COM

SOLD ON WOVENSOULS

ARCHIVES