Visit the website of Macan Tidur Textiles for a glossy, well-curated “look book” of textiles from Sumatra, Java, Bali and beyond. Above, a sarong from South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Via Susi Johnston.
Archive for the ‘S.East Asian Textiles’ Category
Threads of Life –
October 8, 2009
Self-described, Threads of Life is:
…a fair trade business that uses culture and conservation to alleviate poverty in rural Indonesia. The heirloom-quality textiles and baskets we commission are made with local materials and natural dyes. With the proceeds from the Threads of Life gallery, we help weavers to form independent cooperatives and to manage their resources sustainably.
Pomegranate Textiles –
August 23, 2009
Another source for suzanis and ikats — as well as a few carpets.
Tribal Trappings –
August 20, 2009
Holy smokes, tribal trappings is a good website! It has lots and lots – and lots – of textiles (keep looking for the “more” button at the bottom of each page, I missed that the first time around). There’s also interesting / informative detail given about many of the different categories of textiles shown. I’m enamored with several of the Chinese pieces, in part because they’re really expanding my idea of what a “Chinese” textile might be. The image above is a Chinese bridal blanket made by the Maonan ethnic group.
Mekong Blue –
September 4, 2008
I’ve been so consumed by the highs and lows of presidential politics recently that the wonderful world of textiles has fallen by the wayside. But now I’m craving some relief!
The NPR show Marketplace aired a story about a silk production company in Cambodia – Mekong Blue – earlier this week. I can’t say I’m in love with the products shown on their website but they look like a great source for custom production and they’re certainly a good addition to any list of textile companies focusing on fair trade, positive rural development, etc.
Tribal & Textile Arts Show, Part III (of 3) -
February 20, 2008
I’ve just returned from sunny Seattle to rainy San Francisco (fancy that!) and would like to dedicate one more post to the wares seen at the show here ten days ago. Above is one of the contemporary batiks sold through Indo Arts, Inc. here in the Bay Area. I’ve met the owner once before and he’s extremely personable. He used to have a storefront in San Francisco but is now exclusively north of the Golden Gate bridge. Regarding overall price range, he said I could get something starting at $40 — and could purchase a “really good piece” for $300 or so. (Is this where my anticipated tax refund is destined?) In addition, His website shows a sampling of the many finer, and considerably more expensive, antique batiks he carries. I have a lot more to learn about the craft but one thing I really like about the batiks I saw at his booth was purely tactile: the cotton is very flat – somewhat thin – but also very dense, not at all flimsy. I don’t think I’m imagining it when I remember them as a bit cool to the touch, similar to the feeling of chintz.
