textiles Books

WONDERFUL soft covered book with the best of the best hooked rugs of the year. BEAUTIFUL photographs. There is no doubt that you will love this book!

When I ordered this book, I was afraid that a lot of the designs would be from the "Celtic animals" and "Celtic Iron on Transfers". Fortunately, they're all unique. They are all larger than the the designs in the other books.

Add flowers and stems to the traditional Celtic bias-strip style applique, to make a really classy design. The author gives directions and patterns for 9 blocks, and includes information on technique and color photos to really inspire you.

It was a wonderful surprise to open this book, being a fashion designer it is part of my work to research and this one is a great source of information and images.

This is a terrific and thorough examination of the work of Chant Avedissian, an Egyptian-Armenian artist. First, the book is gorgeous, all colour plates printed beautifully with a great introduction that tells about the artist and also about the social and political framework of Egypt and how the work fits into that. The plates are divided into categories by subject matter. Second, the work is really beautiful and demonstrates the influence on the artist of his travels (to the far east, and west) in the lush patterns and references, and the mediums, (often monotypes on cardboard). It captures this body of Avedissian's work wonderfully. The Cairo Stencils series uses pattern, portraiture and text to capture the richness and complexity of Egypt. Avedissians work is a historical (yet contemporary) visual tour of the Egyptian psyche.

Am very interested in this era of art work especially CRM's
work. Doesn't seem to rate much attention here in Australia. This book is fabulous because it give an extensive view of his work. Will probably be buying more of his books from you!

Funny thing, all I could think when I was reading through this was 'Hey Kids, if you think what your mothers are trying to put you in now stinks, this is what they would be putting you in back then'.

Considering what kids are wearing today, back then looks pretty good.

My only problem is this book does not show what work cloths of the time were like. Nor does it show ordinary cloths. Just the Sunday best.

This is the definitive book on chinese carpets. Period. Before I bought my carpets, I bought this book so that I could learn about the characteristics of Chinese carpets: materials, dyeing, and knots per linear line. Each region has its own workshop and produces magnificent carpets, each with their own distinctive designs. This book also has an excellent chapter on Tibetan carpets, which is significant because when this book was published in 1981 the public really was not aware of thier beauty and value. If you are interested in a DEEPER examination of Chinese carpets and want to round out your collection of books on this subject, then add this one!

This book on fans is written from a purely Chinese point of view. It deals not with the fans China made for the west (Mandarin fans and elaborate ivory brise fans), but with those that were made for local use and taste.

First we are given a history of Chinese fans dating back to prehistoric times, quoting numerous examples of ancient fans found in archaeological digs over the last 50-60 years. It also deals with the methods of making fans -both for sticks and leaves and how they have changed over the centuries. There is also a section of painters noted for their fans whose work is highly esteemed within China. This portion of the book, almost more than any other, gives a good feel for how knowledge the West lacks on native Chinese fans. Many 'Great' artists and calligraphers are mentioned that have almost no references in Western art books on Chinese art.

My only disappointment with this small volume is that many of the masterpieces mentioned in the text do not necessarily have corresponding photos. The author seems to assume that the reader would be familiar with these artists. While this may hold true in China this book almost breaks new ground in the west in dealing with Chinese fan painting and manufacturing in English. This book should be part of any fan collectors reference works if you have an interest in Chinese fans.

Chinese Silk: A Cultural History by Shelagh Vainker (Assistant Keeper of Eastern Art, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, England) is a detailed history of silk in China ranging from its Neolithic origins down to the twentieth century. Relating the use of Chinese silk to other decorative arts, and drawing extensively from archaeology, paintings, poems, and other texts, Vainker traces the role of silk in Chinese history, trade, religion, and literature. Chinese Silk is an impressive and seminal work of outstanding scholarship, would make a superb choice as a community library Memorial Fund acquisition, as well as an essential, core addition to academic library Cultural History collections.