Textiles of India

This book offers a captivating exploration of India’s textile heritage, showcasing unique regional techniques and their cultural significance throughout history.

This magnificently illustrated and deeply researched volume takes the reader on a journey throughout the Indian Subcontinent to explore the history and traditions of its textiles. Dating back to the fifth millennium BCE, India’s rich and vibrant textile tradition boasts an enormous range of techniques and extraordinary level of artistry. Drawn from one of the world’s finest collections of Indian textiles, Textiles of India presents a fascinating overview of centuries of artistic production from every corner of India.

Each section examines a different region to reveal its distinct textile traditions, patterns, and processes: Patola silks from Gujarat, brocade lampas preserved in Tibetan temples, mordant resist dyed cottons from Indonesia, embroideries from rural Bengal, and silk saris from Murshidabad. The book also delves into the roles that textiles have played in daily life over the centuries, from household and dowry textiles to devotional pieces and exquisite materials crafted for rich patrons. Each object is photographed from multiple angles and reproduced in meticulous detail.

Many of the antique pieces featured here are exceedingly rare, which makes Textiles of India an invaluable resource. Gorgeously illustrated, this volume makes a stunning gift for anyone interested in the history and craftsmanship of one of the world’s oldest textile traditions.