Comprised of some three hundred objects, the collection of Asian textiles in the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas has remained a hidden treasure since its inception nearly a century ago. This small but important collection, which includes textiles from East, South and Central Asia dating from the fifteenth through twentieth century, displays remarkable geographical breadth, great diversity of technique, and a broad range of functions. With highlights including late Persian textiles, Indian Embroideries,Kashmir shawls, Chinese court costumes, and Japanese folk garments, the Spencer's Asian textiles are rich in history aqnd design, offering a wealth of information and beauty for both the collector and the art lover alike. The first comprehensive publication of this collection, this volume provides an overview of the textile history of four principal regions as well as detailed discussions of individual pieces, bringing these fascinating objects to life in the context of their traditions and times.
The Spencer's South Asian textiles represent both the consummate skill of professional craftsmen and the vivacity of folk designs. The latter may be seen in profusion on the embroideries of Northwest India and Pakistan, while the former is embodied in the Kashmir shawl, the fine garment of meticulous workmanship that swept Europe by storm in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Chinese textiles, with nearly 140 pieces, form the single largest group of Asian textiles in the collection. The court robes and rank badges, women's garments, sleeve bands, and other objects featured in this section also share a profound visual language of great antiquity, with symbols drawn from Buddhism, Daoism, and folk beliefs. Many of these symbols are also found on Japanese textiles, although simple, geometrically patterned garments of indigo-dyed cotton or hemp form an equally important and interesting part of this last featured group. Innovative and unique dyeing methods, used on a variety of garment types, futon covers, and other accessories, are a hallmark of Japanese textile design while bast fibers and distinctive stitching techniques characterize the textile traditions of rural areas far from the capital.
Flowers, Dragons and Pine Trees includes a full catalog of the collection, glossary and five maps. This comprehensive volume brings the hidden treasures of the collection to light with beautiful illustrations, compelling history, and new viewpoints on the rich and ancient textile traditions of Asia.
Price: $39.50
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