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
Story in a Fragment
On a trip to Toraja (Indonesia) last year I collected a boxful of Indian trade textiles in fragmentary condition. Now that I look back at that serendipitous encounter with that … Continue reading
A Little Surprise in an Ersari Rug
My pattern of buying is probably less structured than that followed by most collectors. I put the cart before the horse … and the eyes decide for me. Once the … 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
Tibetan Weavings
A little video clip of street photos taken in Dharamshala. And a few warm moments spent with a welcoming elderly Tibetan woman. And in case the video is not visible … Continue reading
INVITATION: Textile Talk – May 7th
Wovensouls would like to invite you to an online showing of two music-themed trade textiles that are under study and appear to have links to Toraja, India and Egypt. Such … 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
Honor Rituals & Red Phulkaris – A Hypothesis
“Use of Phulkaris in Wedding Rituals – Social Practices in Punjab pre-1947” is a report based on an independent exploratory study that focuses on the use of Red & White … 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
An Iban Tunic In A Textile
Exploring the depiction of an Iban woman dressed in her traditional ornamented tunic on her shoulders
Spot The Difference
Remember the game we played as kids? I see it in some newspapers and magazines once in a way. Here’s a chance for us textile lovers to play it within … Continue reading
Have You Seen This Feature in a Rug?
In all the rugs that I’ve seen, motifs are placed side-by-side. Too often in tribal rugs,in the event of a space constraint while weaving, when the spatial plan is such … Continue reading
Hainan Brocades & Embroidery
I have just been introduced to two groups of textile arts created by the Li people of Hainan. As I learn I am sharing the resources that I’ve found. Hainan … Continue reading
Keeping the Butter Safe
This woven device is an Indhoni or a pot holder, hung up from the ceiling beams. The raison d’etre for such a hanging is to hold pots of milk / … 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
Life Changes …. A Bishnoi Example
LIFE CHANGES … There was a time when you could recognise a community by their dress and their jewelry. Because every group made their own clothes. Yarn from goat hair … Continue reading
