Textiles in Jain Paintings
A glimpse of Antique Indian Textiles from Jain Kalpasutra manuscript paintings from Gujarat. Were these textiles printed? Were these woven? Were these embroideries? Are there any surviving examples of textiles … Continue reading
Textile Art in the Colombo National Museum
“The pursuit of beauty shall save us all” There are a dozen different things we could pursue.. but this one is probably the most joyous and least stressful of them … Continue reading
Flags of Sri Lanka
Many ancient Sri Lankan kingdoms had distinct flags featuring: Here are images of the collection of ancient flags from the Colombo National Museum: Note that almost all are monochromatic using … Continue reading
Toraja Tales
Awhile ago, through a long ceremonial textile that had a row of musicians on it, I got my first serious exposure to Toraja, its culture and its textiles. The museums … Continue reading
The Joys of Daily Life – in Silk
The scenes in a shawl made a hundred years ago show moments of pleasure and joy. And clearly these scenes give us joy even today. Smoking in the garden, holding … Continue reading
Textiles & more – A Walk in the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
This museum needs at least a day to even just see all the exhibits. If you’d like to understand the details … then at least 2 days. In this note … Continue reading
A Caucasian Dragon Zileh like no other
Once again serendipity strikes and brings a stunner into my life. Dragon Zilehs / Sileh / Zili rugs form the South Caucasus are easy to find online. But all the … Continue reading
The Use of A Chandarvo Textile
I’ve collected Gujarat Textiles for decades. And have come across many ‘canopy’ textiles for sale – that are used as a cover over the goddess deity during ceremonies. Further my … Continue reading
Magnificent Hainan Weavings
The idea of the Russian dolls that we saw in our childhoods was intriguing. Each painted wooden doll was hollow and could be opened at the horizontal centre. And when … Continue reading
Three Dimensional Textiles
Just sharing some thoughts of no great consequence… *** Pile rugs are the most well-know example of 3-D weaving with 3 elements. In addition to the warp and the weft, … Continue reading
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
Leaves of Autumn – A Visual Study of Kashmir Boteh
Autumn leaves from Kashmir…
Wild Life
Living with wild animals – a red leopard with spots in two colors, a yellow-headed gazelle, a striped vulture and many many others – can be very stimulating. Lots of … Continue reading
Revisiting the Kalianda Tampan Shipcloth
It gets very windy in Singapore. And things fall. And break. And this is how the glass of the frame on one of the best surviving Tampans, broke. Previously I … Continue reading
Use of Sungkit Textiles in Headhunting Ceremonies / Borneo / 1800s
This note is about the use of Textiles in extinct ceremonies & practices in the 1800s in Borneo. Please be aware and proceed to read only if the title appeals to you.
Mysteries within Textiles
Mysteries hidden in the Tampan Ship cloths of Sumatra … Am enjoying the stimulation of “what does this mean” in each and every piece. Looking closely at the arrangement of … Continue reading
The Thrill of Discovering New Old Arts
So in my collecting habits, I am like a butterfly … go after whatever entices the heart or the eye. Most of the time the pieces that allure fall within … Continue reading
Something Unusual .. A Blue Base Suzani
Am new to the category of Suzanis. No books. No hours spent looking at images. No museum visits. So forgive me if I have made a mistake with this one. … Continue reading
The Showstopper
THE SHOWSTOPPER at the Phulkari AUCTION Sep 6 on Liveauctioneers. A Rare BAGH Sainchi Phulkari … with the base cloth completely covered up in silk stitches! As in all Sainchis … Continue reading
August Arrivals – Majestic Antique Pashminas
Come have a look at some gorgeous soft-as-kittens Pashminas that have just arrived. Some unique prayer mats, some moon shawls, and Amlikar and a Dorukha! All but the last are … Continue reading
When the ‘Negative’ is Desirable
When the NEGATIVE is desirable… An Amli masterpiece on pashm wool. Negative spaces or spaces in which there is no silk embroidery were used to create a variety of … Continue reading
