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

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

May 24, 2023 · 2 Comments

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

April 14, 2023 · Leave a comment

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

February 7, 2023 · Leave a comment

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

October 1, 2022 · Leave a comment

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

March 17, 2022 · Leave a comment

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

February 23, 2022 · 3 Comments

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

Leaves of Autumn – A Visual Study of Kashmir Boteh

Autumn leaves from Kashmir…

September 29, 2021 · Leave a comment

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

September 23, 2021 · Leave a comment

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

August 23, 2021 · Leave a comment

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.

July 19, 2021 · Leave a comment

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

May 6, 2021 · 3 Comments

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

February 26, 2021 · 3 Comments

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

December 13, 2020 · 1 Comment

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

September 5, 2020 · 1 Comment

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

July 30, 2020 · Leave a comment

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

June 17, 2020 · 4 Comments

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

May 16, 2020 · Leave a comment

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

May 11, 2020 · Leave a comment

Summer Birds

Peacocks in Shawls & Cockerels in Rugs.
If you too would like to spend time birding from your armchair follow me…

April 27, 2020 · 1 Comment

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…

April 17, 2020 · Leave a comment

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