Mystical Banjara Textiles
What does one get when the women of a social group have a strong intellect, happiness in their hearts and time on their hands? Art. Art that is used to … Continue reading
Textiles within Textiles
Am studying my Phad (Par) textiles and enjoying the complex scenes painted in. There are two types of Phads: one narrating the legend of Pabuji and the other narrating the … Continue reading
SEEN ON EBAY: PORTRAIT of a DEVOTEE who had been standing eight years, day and night!
PORTRAIT of a DEVOTEE who had been standing eight years, day and night. (India) issued Boston: 1851. Fine original antique engraved woodblock view of native figures of India, printed on quality paper … Continue reading
A LADAKHI LADY DONS HER HEIRLOOM JEWELRY
On the way back from interior Himalayas in September last year, we stopped at a tiny village in Skyurbuchan that had the only restaurant along the way, for a late … 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
18th Century Carpet Weights – Mehrangarh Fort Museum, Jodhpur
An accessory for an accessory! Even though I collected carpets for a few years – I had never come across this category of objects in any books or in any … 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
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
Antique Paintings on Mica
I was incredulous when I saw these for the first time! Why would anyone create a work of art on something so fragile? It seems that paper was more expensive … Continue reading
Wovensouls ‘Vanishing Cultures’ Exhibition Highlights | Heirloom Patan Patola Ikat, Pre 19th century
This extremely fine example of double Ikat is an heirloom piece of one of the two surviving Patola weaving families. Known as the heirloom fragment piece that has been with … Continue reading
Wovensouls ‘Vanishing Cultures’ Exhibition Highlights | Vintage Akha Headdress
This headdress is a signature element of the costume of one of the Akha subtribes living in Northern Thailand. Available for acquisition. ‘Vanishing Cultures’ An exhibition of photography & antique … Continue reading
Wovensouls ‘Vanishing Cultures’ Exhibition Highlights | Rare Awadh Shield
A very rare shield. March 7, 8, 9Â Â | 10am – 7pm The Arts House, (Old Parliament) | Singapore. MORE DETAILS : ‘VANISHING CULTURES’ – An Exhibition of Cultural Photographs … Continue reading
Stunning Old Costume Photos from Tibet
  A delightful find on Facebook – stunning old photos of Tibetan women wearing their extravagant headdresses and accessories! The headdress is used as a tool to attach false hair tied … Continue reading
Costumes from Mongolia – A Peep into the Past
A discussion on a forum board opened my eyes to the details that form part of the background of paintings. In this particular case, the forum discussed rugs in the … Continue reading
How many Indian Manuscripts exist?
In my readings about ancient Indian texts I came across an interesting article by Wujastyk. The main page is linked below. A few interesting excerpts: India as a modern nation-state … Continue reading
Mystical Gold Ornaments from the past
When I look at some of the ornaments from the past, they leave me awestruck! The art & craft within them is doubtlessly stunning. But beyond that, there is an … Continue reading
Antique Yao Head Cloth – 3-D weaving!
A close look at the end-bands of this Yao Head cloth (or shoulder cloth) reveals a 3-Dimensional visual that has been created intentionally! Worn by women on the head in … Continue reading
The Enigmatic Ceremonial Weavings from Sumatra
The beginning of my latest article published on Jozan.net: 1. INTRODUCTION Weaving of ceremonial cloths ceased in Lampung, Sumatra at the end of the 19th century. This phenomenon of the … Continue reading
ANTIQUE NINGYO DOLLS
ANTIQUE JAPANESE NINGYO DOLLS Note the detail in the costumes and the detail on the faces. The two dots on the woman’s forehead are intriguing! jm Nov 2013
INTRICATE WOVEN ART OF BHUTAN
ANTIQUE BHUTAN KERA TEXTILE ART ANTIQUE KERA VINTAGE KERA (OR KIRA) Â Â jm Oct 2013
Is it Silk? Is it Wool? An Antique Dowry Rug
A challenge: Identify the material of this antique Qashqai dowry rug using just the visuals below: Is this a silk? Or is it a wool? Do leave your guesses in … Continue reading
