Carpets, rugs and textiles Books

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Book SynopsisAn invaluable sourcebook of Indian textile patterns, organized by pattern type and explored by technique, and covering every region.Trade Review'Expertly shows how Indian patterns have changed and evolved up to the present day ... a valuable resource' - Selvedge'Brilliant … a feast for the eyes' - House and GardenTable of ContentsIntroduction • Floral • Figurative • Abstract and Geometric

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Book SynopsisCelebrates the earliest history of the Islamic world's great textile traditions through fifty beautiful carpets and fragments. A wave of these beautiful textiles has reached the West since the turn of the 21st century, and here they are divided into variants featuring birds, mammals, and mythological creatures, which retain their glowing colors and lively charm.Trade Review'The long awaited work is finally here ... fills substantial gaps in the early history of knotted rugs' - Carpet Collector

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Book SynopsisRich selection of scaled dressmaker''s patterns from the popular late 19th-century magazine The Voice of Fashion details 50 garments for women, from handsome daytime and evening dresses to casual tennis outfits, a riding habit, and undergarments. Of practical use for costume designers and students of fashion; will also delight browsers. 498 illustrations.

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Book SynopsisFor thousands of years, the peoples of Central Asia have created spectacular textiles for every aspect of life. Infinite care, resources and time have gone into making elaborate costumes (connoting the wearer's identity and place in society), equestrian items, and exquisite furnishings for settled as well as nomadic lifestyles. Items of dress were decorated literally from top to toe: boots were embroidered with metal thread, while hats were stitched, appliquéd and felted. The women of a family would come together to embroider dazzling suzanis to form part of a bride's dowry; master dyers and weavers would craft vibrant ikat hangings. Combined, these objects tell an evocative story of life along the Silk Road in times past.This book brings together outstanding textiles from the Neville Kingston Collection, featuring many previously unpublished pieces. It is the second volume to document this exceptional English collection;Turkmen Carpets: The Neville Kingston Collectionwas published in 2016.

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Book SynopsisThis stunning exploration of Chinese and Central Asian textiles draws from one of the world's major collections. In private hands, it features objects never before published and of a caliber customarily only seen in museums. A captivating journey through the rich tapestry of Asian history, this beautiful and informative book delves into the opulent world of historic textiles. Covering a period when decorative textiles were the ultimate luxury, it showcases the craftsmanship, cultural significance, and artistic expressions woven into each cloth. It provides a comprehensive overview of the Silk Road and the exchange of ideas, goods, and techniques that fueled the flourishing textile industry across Asia over centuries, from the Byzantine Empire to the Tang and Song dynasties and beyond. A series of engaging essays highlights the significant features of the N2H collection-exploring the samites of Central Asia with their luxurious silk and intricately woven animal and geometric patterns; studying the exquisite embroideries of the Liao dynasty up close; and examining the imperial textiles of the Ming and Qing dynasties, when power and prestige were expressed through sumptuous court costume. Perfect for art lovers, historians, and all those captivated by the beauty of textiles, this impeccably packaged volume unravels the fascinating stories embedded in the fabric of ancient Asia.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing spectacular works of art, new research, and cutting-edge science, this is the first major publication in English to reconstruct life at the ancient Greek site of Pylos.

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Book SynopsisIn 1751, John Holker (1719-1786), an English textile manufacturer exiled in France, undertook an industrial espionage mission to England to collect samples of English textiles on behalf of the French king, Louis XV. On his return, the samples were assembled in a manuscript volume, which is now preserved at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. Each sample in this album is accompanied by a handwritten technical description specifying the quality of the fabric, its price, its dimensions and the manufacturing processes. This album is famous for preserving the oldest identifiable samples of jean fabric. Completely bilingual, the book includes a facsimile reproduction of the album, accompanied by a transcription of its handwritten text and a dozen essays. The essays, written by academics, curators and specialists from France, Britain, and North America, explore the album from various angles: the globalisation of commerce, the slave trade, industrial espionage, economic rivalry between France and England, the taste for cotton and its role in the history of fashion, etc. The book demonstrates the importance of centuries-old links between France and the United Kingdom and is an indispensable work of reference for the history of textiles. Text in English and French. Table of ContentsESSAYS John Holker and the making of the Livre d’échantillons. By Ariane Fennetaux & John Styles The Holker album and Lancashire cotton textiles. By John Styles John Holker, an entrepreneur at Rouen. By Serge Chassagne John Holker as inspector of manufactures. By Philippe Minard The chemistry of colours circa 1750. By Liliane Hilaire-Pérez John Holker, technical innovation and the hot cylinder press. By Philip A. Sykas The Holker album in a global context. By Giorgio Riello Chintz, cambric, and a counterfeit silk handkerchief: printed textiles in the Holker album. By John Styles Deep blue, fiery red, and apricot yellow: colour, imperial markets and the global textile trade. By Beverly Lemire And cotton became fashionable. By Denis Bruna The English origin of jeans. By Pascale Gorguet Ballesteros FACSIMILE OF THE HOLKER ALBUM APPENDICES Translation of the transcription Technical analysis Glossary Bibliography Index List of illustrations

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Book SynopsisThis new handbook provides a full but concise guide to the key pest species that commonly infest historic houses, and solutions for dealing with them. It enables readers to spot signs of pest infestation, identify the pests responsible, suggest strategies for the removal of the pest and treatment options for infested items and structures, and give clear guidance on long-term strategies to prevent pests from returning. The book is in two main sections: a handy identification section with large, close-up photographs which provides an overview of the environmental conditions where each pest species is likely to flourish, the damage caused and strategies for prevention and treatment and a more detailed pest management section with comprehensive advice about the main ways to prevent infestation as well as appropriate treatment methods.

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Book SynopsisA unique insight into high-end 20th-century fashion explored through sumptuous detail photography of some of the most luxurious garments in the V&A's collections, alongside precise line drawings and an authoritative text.Table of ContentsIntroduction • List of Designers • 1. Seams • 2. Gathers, Tucks and Pleats • 3. Collars, Cuffs and Pockets • 4. Fastenings • 5. Bows • 6. Beads and Sequins • 7. Applied Decoration

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Book SynopsisSheila Fruman, fascinated by the textiles and handmade carpets she saw when she travelled overland in 1969 from Turkey to India, tells the stories of nine intrepid adventurers who have combed the streets and bazaars of Central and South Asia finding, researching, collecting and selling antique Kashmir shawls, embroidered Uzbek textiles and robes, Anatolian kilims, Turkmen carpets and many other textile treasures to interested Westerners. These stories capture the post-World War II era’s free spirit that briefly coincided with economic prosperity and open borders. With over 200 colour illustrations, the book shows how the indigenous designs and motifs popularised in the US and Europe by these textile travellers can now be found in anything from haute couture to high-end interior design to mass-marketed bedding, tableware and clothing. The dealers and collectors who have spent their lives seeking these complex pieces of the past have intriguing stories to tell and collections of some of the finest textiles of their kind in the world. Taken together, their stories are an enlightening guide to understanding how we connect to the past, and how textiles connect the world.Table of ContentsIntroduction Andy Hale Pip Rau Joss Graham Elizabeth Hewitt John Gillow Kate Fitz Gibbon Susan Gomersall Steven J Cohen Frank Ames Interiors Context and Legacy

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Book SynopsisA heavily illustrated classic on the evolution of the handloom. The handloom—often no more than a bundle of sticks and a few lengths of cordage—has been known to almost all cultures for thousands of years. Eric Broudy places the wide variety of handlooms in their historical context. What influenced their development? How did they travel from one geographic area to another? Were they invented independently by different cultures? How have modern cultures improved on ancient weaving skills and methods? Broudy shows how virtually every culture has woven on handlooms. He highlights the incredible technical achievement of early cultures that created magnificent textiles with the crudest of tools and demonstrates that modern technology has done nothing to surpass their skill or inventiveness. Trade Review“Broudy extracts his evidence from such unlikely places as Egyptian tombs to the unearthed ruins of a ninth century Viking ship in Norway. . . . In this awesome feat of research, recounted with storytelling expertise, he traces the growth of weaving from simple matting and wickerwork basketry to the massive tapestry (haute-lisse) looms of the Gobelin workshop of Paris and the silk-producing izaribata looms of China. . . . If you are a weaver by profession or hobby, this book will make you proud of it, and, if you have never touched a loom and are thinking of a new career, this book will, once you tear yourself away from it, send you spinning off to the yarn store.” * Goodfellow Review of Craft *“If you are also fascinated by the historical and cultural aspects of weaving, this book should find a place in your library.” * Journal for Weavers, Spinners and Dyers *Table of ContentsIntroduction, 1. Origins, 2. The Warp-weighted Loom, 3. The Two-bar Loom, 4. Pueblo and Navajo Looms, 5. The Backstrap and Other Primitive Looms, 6. The Treadle Loom, 7. The Drawloom, 8. The Modern Loom, Bibliography, Index

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Book SynopsisExtensively illustrated, this is the first accessible publication on the history of tapestry in over two decades. Woven with dazzling images from history, mythology and the natural world, and breath-taking in their craftsmanship, tapestries were among the most valuable and high-status works of art available in Europe from the medieval period to the end of the eighteenth century. Over 600 historic examples hang in National Trust properties in England and Wales – the largest collection in the UK. This beautifully illustrated study by tapestry expert Helen Wyld, in association with the National Trust, offers new insights into these works, from the complex themes embedded in their imagery, to long-forgotten practices of sacred significance and ritual use. The range of historical, mythological and pastoral themes that recur across the centuries is explored, while the importance of the ‘revival’ of tapestry from the late nineteenth century is considered in detail for the first time. Although focussed on the National Trust’s collection, this book offers a fresh perspective on the history of tapestry across Europe. Both the tapestry specialist and the keen art-history enthusiast can find a wealth of information here about woven wall hangings and furnishings, including methods of production, purchase and distribution, evolving techniques and technologies, the changing trends of subject matter across time, and how tapestries have been collected, used and displayed in British country houses across the centuries.Trade ReviewExamines the subject in technical and art historical terms and is profusely illustrated with images that convey the diversity and appeal of these remarkable - and sometimes undervalued - works of art. * Country Life *The book will be enlightening for any country-house buff and decorator who wants to know more about the historic tapestries they encounter in English country houses. It will also be an essential reference for historians of English visual culture, providing a fascinating account of the rise and fall and rise again of tapestry as an art form in its own right and as a medium of traditional splendour. -- Tom Campbell, Director of the Fine Art Museum of San FranciscoThis beautifully illustrated book looks at how tapestries were made, how they were used as political tools and how they came into and out of fashion. [...] it’s a fascinating look at an art form that doesn’t get the same attention as paintings. -- Tabish Khan * FAD Magazine *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Tapestry Technique I: Art and Industry II: Ritual and Presence III: The Woven Image IV: Tapestry and History Appendix: Makers' Marks Notes Bibliography Picture Credits Index

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Book SynopsisFrom rugged Japanese firemen's ceremonial robes and austere rural work-wear to colorful, delicately-patterned cotton kimonos, this lavishly illustrated volume explores Japan's rich tradition of textiles. Textiles are an eloquent form of cultural expression and of great importance in the daily life of a people, as well as in their rituals and ceremonies. The traditional clothing and fabrics featured in this book were made and used in the islands of the Japanese archipelago between the late 18th and the mid 20th century. The Thomas Murray collection featured in this book includes daily dress, work-wear, and festival garb and follows the Arts and Crafts philosophy of the Mingei Movement, which saw that modernization would leave behind traditional art forms such as the hand-made textiles used by country people, farmers, and fisherman. It presents subtly patterned cotton fabrics, often indigo dyed from the main islands of Honshu and Kyushu, along with garments of the more remote islands: the graphic bark cloth, nettle fiber, and fish skin robes of the aboriginal Ainu in Hokkaido and Sakhalin to the north, and the brilliantly colored cotton kimonos of Okinawa to the far south. Numerous examples of these fabrics, photographed in exquisite detail, offer insight into Japan's complex textile history as well as inspiration for today's designers and artists. This volume explores the range and artistry of the country's tradition of fiber arts and is an essential resource for anyone captivated by the Japanese aesthetic.

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Book SynopsisExploring prize textiles known as tiraz, whose meaning and materiality illuminate the interwoven communities of the medieval Islamic world

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive study of walking canes from around the world, dating from the distant past to the modern-day. The book presents a historical context on both practical and ceremonial usage. At the same time, specially shot pictures showcase the celebrated A&D Collection of canes, while enlightening prose demonstrates the cane's enduring relevance to society.More than just a mobility aid, the cane has held numerous offices of significance. From the staff of the legendary Monkey King in the classic Chinese Journey to the West, or the stylised crosiers carried by high-ranking prelates from the Roman Catholic church, to the truncheon wielded by Mr Punch in puppet shows, canes are embedded in the culture of almost every country around the globe. Roving the map with one hand and thumbing through history books with the other, A Virtual History of Walking Canes and Sticks seeks not only to introduce the collector to the diverse wealth of canes available but also to entertain the casual reader. Intermingled with over 800 full-colour pictures are descriptions of gadget canes for tradesmen, squirting canes for pranksters, and glamorous Art Nouveau canes for the dapper gentlemen of the '20s. Informative and meticulously researched, this book paves an accessible route into a niche subject while paying homage to our ongoing relationship with canes. This story stretches back as far as history itself.Trade ReviewThis beautiful book by Anthony Moss shows careful research and study; it rises far above other photographic books on antique walking sticks. -- Renzo Traballesi, psychiatrist in Siena, Italy and president of the Mondobastone Association, formed by many Italian antique cane collectorsIt is wonderful to discover a new book on antique walking canes from an obsessive UK walking cane collector. This book is rich in images of selected and rarely seen objects, supported by excellent information and technical data. By integrating historical research with a passionate knowledge for this fascinating object, the author is contributing to open our eyes to a seemingly 'utilitarian' walking cane: by revealing a powerful, meaningful and symbolic artefact. The author demonstrates how these objects can tell stories about the times and the people while offering a glimpse to their past and their future. This is a 'must-read' to any person interested in navigating through the universe of walking canes across history. -- Eduard Tovar Estrada, Antique dealer, Antique Canes AmsterdamTable of ContentsDedicationAcknowledgementsNavigational Aid to EntriesForeword by Dominic StricklandPreface The Dandy A Poem by Deanna MossIntroduction A Short History of the Walking Stick CHAPTER 1 The Jewels in the Crown: Highlights from the A&D CollectionCHAPTER 2 Cane Classifications CHAPTER 3 Cane Handle Motifs CHAPTER 4 The Anatomy of the Cane CHAPTER 5 From The Dawn of Time to 20th Century SophisticationCHAPTER 6 The Umbrella and the ParasolCHAPTER 7: Contemporary Walking Canes - Alive and Popular TodayCHAPTER 8: Materials and TechniquesAppendices Notes on Source MaterialBibliographyWhen the Cane Was King - A Poem by Deanna MossIndex

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Book SynopsisThe first book to exclusively present Cleto Munari’s latest creations in the field of the applied arts: a unique collection of art carpets. Cleto Munari was born in Gorizia and he lives and works in Vicenza. After meeting Carlo Scarpa in 1973, who encouraged him in his work, he decided to focus his attention on the area of industrial design, and began to work for some of the most important companies in the world. Constantly in search of original ideas, over the years he has tirelessly been engaged in analyzing and experimenting with both forms and material. In 1985 he opened a laboratory-studio-jeweler’s, where, together with a group of worldclass architects, he designs and produces silver jewelry and other objects for avant-garde collections that truly represent historical revolutions in jewelry both in Italy and abroad, and have also led to the production of watches, pens and furniture. Cleto Munari’s objects have entered the permanent collections of some of the world’s top museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This book is the first to exclusively present Cleto Munari’s latest creations in the field of the applied arts. After his jewelery, silverware, watches and furnishings, the great designer has involved ten other designers and artists in the creation of a unique collection of art carpets. Signed by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Dario Fo, Mario Botta, Alessandro Mendini, Javier Mariscal, Ettore Mochetti, Deisa Centazzo, Sandro Chia, Mimmo Paladino and by Cleto Munari himself, these creations are full-fledged works of art and represent the high point of the skills and expertise of one of the greatest creative designers in the world, who has been designing and producing for over forty years.

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Book SynopsisGayle A. Pritchard’s compelling narrative threads its way through the emergence of the art quilt, from artists working in isolation to the explosive “big bang” of the first Quilt National exhibition and its inevitable reverberations.Trade Review“Through these small biographies and beautiful illustrations, it is possible to learn how access to art education in Ohio catalyzed interest in the arts which resulted in the use of textiles to express views of modern society.... By the 1980s Ohio had established itself as a geographic center for this type of artistry.” * Ohio History *“The oral histories tirelessly gathered and artfully presented by Pritchard constitute an unparalleled contribution to the history of Ohio quilt making.” * Northwest Ohio History *“Gayle Pritchard's book is a godsend, a serious, carefully researched study of the history and continuing development of quiltmaking by artists, full of valuable new information and insights. Pritchard's deep focus and solid scholarship are models for all future studies of the genre.” * author of The Art Quilt *“(P)hotos of art quilts create an exuberant overall image of the works of many people who have been instrumental in establishing Art Quilts as a separate and relatively recent phenomena in the quilting world.” * Quilter’s Muse *“Profiles of more than 20 quilters and arts organizations offer a broad, yet highly personal look at the movement and its makers. The book includes many photos of quilts, along with rare personal photographs and excerpts from in-depth interviews.” * The Professional Quilter *”By turns zany, wistful and whimsical, the quilts presented in this volume demonstrate the creative revolution in quiltmaking that occurred in Ohio in the 1970s and 80s…. Pritchard proves that the contemporary quilt movement could not have occurred without Ohio's unparalleled contribution.” * Reference & Research Book News *

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