Wearing her mother’s Bridal Haalvan Phulkari
A “haalvan” phulkari is done on very fine cotton cloth that is similar to mul mul. This is the first time I held one in my hand! All bridal textiles … Continue reading
Confused About Classification! Silver or Silk?
In awe of an antique Benarasi Sari with real silver sari!
A Weaver’s Heirloom Patan Patola Sari
Rediscovering a piece from the weaver’s heirlooms – a bridal sari with fabulous double ikat hand woven raw silk!
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
The Romance of a Dowry or Trousseau
In primary school one school teacher talked of the ‘bottom drawer’ in which a girl puts in all the things she wants to take with her to her second home. … Continue reading
Choosing A Wedding Dress – Swat Valley Textiles
Choosing is wedding dress can be tough – especially when each is a stunning work of textile art. Presenting a few vintage and antique bridal dresses from the Swat Valley region
External Link: A Wedding in Central Asia
I do not understand the words – but the beauty can be seen and understood easily! LINK
Adornments to Entice
In many cultures in the Eastern hemisphere, lifestyle devices are structured with the intention of security and protection. Clothes and costumes are designed to deflect the viewer’s eyes rather than … Continue reading
Antique Fulani Blanket – Available for Sale
How long can one ignore a whole continent? How long can I turn away saying …I don’t really collect pieces from that place. But I have just realised a moment … Continue reading
Save the Best for Last – One more Palindrome-Embroidery Textile
The last addition to my Palindrome Embroidery collection is indeed the best of them all – mainly because of the outstanding color – the deep madder is so magnetic I … Continue reading
Daily Art Fix – Gorgeous Antique Wedding Thirma Textile
Loving the silk – that seems like it has been woven in or pasted onto the white base cloth! Feeling like Maria in Hollywood film ‘The Sound of Music’ – … 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
Antique Colonial-Era Saris
Two rare & unique saris from a bygone era. Rare because of their age. Unique because of the unique English motifs woven into the borders of the sari – woven … Continue reading
FANTASTIC BAWAN BAGH PHULKARI – A WEDDING TEXTILE
A Bagh (phulkari) textile with 52 motifs created by the family as a canopy for the bride. Created by reverse embroidery!! Precision AND creativity! Art AND craft!! All while working … Continue reading
Dowry of A Mother’s Love – The Bagh Textile of Punjab
THE DOWRY A young girl leaves her home to join another family of which she knows very little. She has spent her childhood and early youth sheltered within the large … Continue reading
An Appeal for “The Blue Veil Project”
The magnificent head dress of Ladakh – the Perak laden with rows and rows of turquoise gem stones and coral, is probably among the most exquisite bridal ornaments in … Continue reading