Assorted Books on Indian Textiles [Set of 5]
a) Shilpa Shah and Tulsi Vatsal, Peonies & Pagodas: Embroidered Parsi Textiles-Tapi Collection, Mumbai: Garden Silk Mills Ltd in association with the TAPI Collection, Surat, 2010
196 pages including 154 colour illustrations and 27 black and white illustrations; hardbound with dust jacket
11.4 x 8.2 x 0.8 in (29 x 21 x 2.2 cm)
The visually spectacular array of embroidered textiles in this book serves as a visual record of the clothing worn by Parsi women and children during the mid-19th century. The inaugural work on this textile genre delves into the complex relationship between cultural transmission and colonial commerce by incorporating the perspectives of scholars from a variety of fields. The volume is enriched by portraits, rare lithographs, and photographs from indigenous and international sources, in addition to the excellent examples of the Tapi Collection.
b) Kokyo Hatanaka, Textile Arts of India: Kokyo Hatanaka Collection, San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1996
344 pages with numerous colour photographic illustrations with minimal text; pictorial dust jacket with publisher's red cloth lettered in gilt, pictorial endpapers
12.2 x 9 x 1.5 in (31 x 23 x 4 cm)
The most extravagant book ever published on the magnificent textiles of India is undoubtedly Textile Arts of India. This monumental book is as visually appealing as it is historically intriguing, featuring a stunning collection of fabrics that spans from the 17th century to the first half of the 20th century. Hundreds of full-colour photographs, which were specifically captured for this volume, are included. These photographs showcase rare and magnificent textiles that are painted, block-printed, woven, tie-dyed, and embroidered. The history of textile manufacturing in India and the diverse techniques of this enduring and radiant art form are the subjects of an essay by Zahid Sarder, published in the San Francisco Examiner Magazine. The Textile Arts of India is an essential resource for collectors, designers, and anyone with an interest in Indian culture and art, as well as a visual feast.
c) Martand Singh and Rta Kapur Chisti, Saris of India: Tradition and Beyond, Roli Books (P) Ltd., Lustre Press, 2010
275 pages profusely illustrated with black and white and colour plates; hardbound with dust jacket
12.2 x 12.2 x 1.25 in (31 x 31 x 3 cm)
For more than a millennium, the sari has been the primary element of India's weaving and printing tradition, in one form or another. This book is a documentation of design and all that supports it socially, culturally, and economically, spanning the length and breadth of 12 Indian states while incorporating its styles and traditions. Saris of India provides a comprehensive and vivid examination of the sari's vocabulary, including its structures, design, colours, and technology.
d) Ruth Barnes, Steven Cohen and Rosemary Crill, Trade, Temple & Court: Indian Textiles from the Tapi Collection, India Book House Pvt Ltd in association with Garden Silk Mills Ltd, 2002
238 pages; hardbound with dust jacket
12.2 x 12.2 x 0.7 in (33 x 26 x 2 cm)
The Tapi Collection, a collection of exceptional textiles, is a valuable resource for scholars and designers alike. The collection includes a range of textiles and motifs, from 14th-century cloth for maritime communities in South-East Asia to painted cottons and embroideries for the Western Market. It is particularly rich in rare early Kashmir Shawls and articles for courtly and urban use. The collection is categorised according to patronage and historical use, with textiles comparable to those in the collections of the Calico Museum Ahmedabad, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and other international museums. The book provides in-depth insights into the realm of Indian textiles and their impact on the world. Rosemary Crill explores the Indian chintz, embroidered bed-covers, quilted chintz fabrics, and furnishing fabrics for European markets. Steven Cohen discusses the Kashmir Shawls, revealing their simple but refined technique, likely developed indigenously or introduced by travellers or conquerors. Ruth Barnes highlights the importance of textiles in transmitting design and technology, and the quality of dyes used in printed and painted textiles from the Coromandel Coast.
e) Steven Cohen, Rosemary Crill, Monique Levi-Strauss and Jeffrey B Spurr, Kashmir Shawls: The Tapi Collection, Mumbai: The Shoestring Publisher in association with Garden Silk Mills Ltd, and the TAPI Collection, Surat, 2012
385 pages profusely illustrated with black and white and colour plates; hardbound with dust jacket
12.7 x 9.8 x 1.2 in (32.5 x 25 x 3.3 cm)
Signed by Praful and Shefali Shah on the half title page.
The Tapi Collection's exceptional shawls are the focus of Kashmir Shawls. The book is a significant publication that demonstrates the collection's remarkable scope, featuring examples from the late 17th century to the early 20th century. The essays written by the four authors provide a comprehensive analysis and original information that revolutionises our comprehension of Kashmir shawls.
This collection of books offers an expansive exploration into the rich and diverse world of Indian textiles, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship and cultural significance of various textile traditions. From the exquisite embroidered Parsi textiles in Peonies & Pagodas by Shilpa Shah and Tulsi Vatsal to the comprehensive survey of Indian textile arts in Kokyo Hatanaka's Textile Arts of India, these works celebrate the artistry and heritage of Indian fabrics. Martand Singh and Rta Kapur Chisti's Saris of India: Tradition and Beyond delves into the timeless elegance of the sari, while Trade, Temple & Court by Ruth Barnes, Steven Cohen, and Rosemary Crill examines the diverse contexts of Indian textiles from the TAPI Collection. Finally, Kashmir Shawls: The Tapi Collection by Steven Cohen, Rosemary Crill, Monique Levi-Strauss, and Jeffrey B Spurr highlights the luxurious and intricate shawls of Kashmir. Together, these volumes provide a comprehensive and visually stunning tribute to the textile traditions of India, making them essential reads for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts alike.
(Set of five)