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
Elephant or Stork? Laotian Silk Weaving – 2
So remember this? I received a note from a knowledgeable reader and am sharing his note here: Joshua Hirschstein writes “The primary motif is that of the “phii nyak,” or … Continue reading
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…
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
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
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
