Arts and Crafts of India

by Ilay Cooper, John Gillow, Barry Dawson (Photographer)

From the most basic artifacts and traditions of village life - earthenware water jars, brightly colored wooden toys and painted murals of Hindu deities on mud walls - to sophisticated and intricate geometric designs painstakingly etched on precious metal or carved in stone, here is a spectacular array of arts and crafts, representing the wealth of the country's craft heritage. Specially taken photographs complement a lively and thorough discussion of each the plastic arts; wood and stone carving; metalwork; jewelry; textiles; paint and paper; and a colorful miscellany, including leatherwork, basketry and floral work.
As well as comprehensive descriptions of materials and techniques such as inlay, enameling, sand-casting, tie-dye and papermaking, Arts and Crafts of India outlines the regional styles, history, and social and symbolic significance of many of the artifacts, informed by the authors' first-hand research - often in remote areas of the subcontinent. This book, complete with a collector's guide and glossary, will appeal to all those visiting India, as well as to designers, buyers, and anyone who appreciates the beauty and decorative value of ethnic arts and crafts.

Genres: Art

Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been to India so I can't speak to the accuracy of the book, but I felt it gave a good overview of the wide range of traditional arts and crafts in the country.