Opium Culture – History in Art
There is too much that I do not know anything about and the role that opium played in the history of China is one of them. Were it not for … Continue reading
Boundless Creativity in Motifs
Superb embroidered motifs from the North West Frontier Province region photographed from faded fragments of dress-fronts! Enjoy the feast: What thought-paths created these very aesthetically pleasing unique motifs that have … Continue reading
Confused About Classification! Silver or Silk?
In awe of an antique Benarasi Sari with real silver sari!
Come Celebrate Diwali!
Diwali, one of the most celebrated festivals of India falls on Nov 7th this year. On this night, the darkest in the lunisolar calendar, Laxmi – the Goddess of Wealth … Continue reading
Service or Sacrilege? The Dilemma of Textile Art Fragments
Have you seen these? Amazing creativity isn’t it?!! ❤️ The ones that I have are in good but not in perfect condition – usage, withering natural life of the fibre … Continue reading
Fine Embroidery on Indigo from the Yao Hilltribes
Collected from the source a decade ago, these lovely vintage embroidered indigo costumes of the Yao people are currently on offer as a single lot at a discounted launch price … Continue reading
Artwork of the Day
A Peacock takes a little ram for a walk! What an endearing example of folk creativity! Seen in this most-beloved AntiqueQashqai Shekarlu rug that I cannot get enough of! More … Continue reading
Washing Shawls in 1867
An antique Indian miniature painting from the Kyburg exhibition catalog (1988) depicts the washing of shawls The 1867 painting is possibly from Lahore, Such a treat to get a glimpse … Continue reading
Waiting…. The Antique Shekarlu Qashqai Rug
For years I’ve eyed Shekarlu rugs. Their identity is highly evolved and very striking! Very rustic in character the rugs are filled with an extravagant number of minor motif elements … Continue reading
Book Recommendation
A good place to start! Jaina Mishra Singapore
Art of Tunisia
The more I know, the more I realise how ignorant I am. Someone famous said something like that in a much more cogent way. Completely true for me. In the … Continue reading
Raincoats of the Fortunate – Bhutan Textiles
Destinies differ between individuals. And between people groups. In the plate of destiny granted to me, raincoats were made of plastic. In the plate of the fortunate, raincoats were works … Continue reading
Astitva Project – New Beginnings – May 2018
For those who have provided encouragement and support and are following the story – here are some photos that just came in today. The loom is being constructed by the … Continue reading
A Man and His Dowry
In many parts of North Africa, at the time of the proposal the families discuss the dowry the man is willing to pay to get his bride. The dowry is … Continue reading
Butterflies of Indonesia
And just when I thought I was done with the lessons in the Fauna of lovely Indonesia, along comes another Batik that showcases the butterflies of the islands: And the … Continue reading
Beauty of The Checkerboard
Checkerboards are simple forms. Not much creativity needed to create these basic geometric forms. It could even be said that checkerboard motifs are born during one’s lazier creative moments. But … Continue reading
Birds of Indonesia
So someone said ‘why only talk talk about art always’ …. So let’s change the track a bit for today and talk about birds! I spent an hour this afternoon … Continue reading
Made in 3 Places – Batik Tiga Negeri
In the world of modern mass production – the only world young people in their twenties (in my world) know – the concept of getting clothes made does not exist. … Continue reading
External Article: Italy’s last Sea Silk Master (on BBC)
Byssus, or sea silk, is one of the rarest and most coveted materials in the world – and this is the last person on Earth who still knows how to … Continue reading
The Astitva Project – Phase III
Just as life happens just one step at a time, it seems to me that in the same way wisdom reveals itself one step at a time. It would … Continue reading
