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The Fabric of India
This is the first truly comprehensive book on Indian textiles, featuring stunning examples from all over the country. Lavishly illustrated, it begins with an in-depth exploration of the different materials, techniques, and dyeing processes used in the creation of these sumptuous fabrics before exploring the central importance of cloth to Indian life and culture from ancient times to the present day. Special features focus on objects of historical importance, including a Kashmir map shawl, Tipu Sultan’s tent, and a remarkable 18th-century temple hanging from South India.
While many are familiar with Mughal velvets, western-market chintzes, or rural embroideries, for example, this book will surprise, inspire, delight, and inform with an extraordinary range of material, much of it new. Along with presenting great historical masterpieces, the importance and variety of the basic fibers—silk, cotton, wool—from which Indian textiles are traditionally made is emphasized, and the remarkable techniques of weaving, printing, dyeing, and embroidery that have made them prized across the world are illustrated in specially taken photographs.
While many are familiar with Mughal velvets, western-market chintzes, or rural embroideries, for example, this book will surprise, inspire, delight, and inform with an extraordinary range of material, much of it new. Along with presenting great historical masterpieces, the importance and variety of the basic fibers—silk, cotton, wool—from which Indian textiles are traditionally made is emphasized, and the remarkable techniques of weaving, printing, dyeing, and embroidery that have made them prized across the world are illustrated in specially taken photographs.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 15, 2018
Great information and resource.
January 31, 2017
3.9/5
A fascinating read on history of textiles in India. I learnt a lot and amazed at the hard work that goes into the prints and traditional textiles. It really makes me appreciate Indian textiles and the rich history and culture they have.
The book was a little textbooky and slightly boring at times.
I learnt a lot about history as well. One interesting thing was how there was globalisation earlier as well with trading of Indian textiles worldwide and customising prints for different markets like for Japanese.
Another was protectionism - like England banning Indian textiles to protect their own market and textile production between 1701 to 1820 or so. Sounds like so many countries today!!
Note on this edition: The paper smelled bad and had a strong smell. Something I did not like.
A fascinating read on history of textiles in India. I learnt a lot and amazed at the hard work that goes into the prints and traditional textiles. It really makes me appreciate Indian textiles and the rich history and culture they have.
The book was a little textbooky and slightly boring at times.
I learnt a lot about history as well. One interesting thing was how there was globalisation earlier as well with trading of Indian textiles worldwide and customising prints for different markets like for Japanese.
Another was protectionism - like England banning Indian textiles to protect their own market and textile production between 1701 to 1820 or so. Sounds like so many countries today!!
Note on this edition: The paper smelled bad and had a strong smell. Something I did not like.
July 17, 2022
A lovely book from the V&A with good informative text and beautiful pictures. If you’ve any interest in textiles or Indian craft this is a must read. I particularly enjoyed the last section on current Indian designers.
August 29, 2018
4.5 / 5.0
SEEMINGLY COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY. BRILLIANT GRAPHICS. WELL ORGANIZED. AUTHOR WAS DELIGHTFUL
SEEMINGLY COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY. BRILLIANT GRAPHICS. WELL ORGANIZED. AUTHOR WAS DELIGHTFUL
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews