Fusing aesthetic and economic perspectives in exploring the lives and work of women in the Lucknow, India embroidery industry, this book offers insights into anthropology of work and women's studies.

Chikankari is one of the finest traditional embroideries of India, a symbol of Lucknawi culture and elegant courts of the nawabs of Awadh. Chikankari appeared in Lucknow in the late 18th century and its exquisite aesthetic and craftsmanship has sustained the tradition to this day, through changing patronage and market trends. Chikankari is not just about embroidery. Its legendary finesse is based on a creative blend of the delicate embroidery with very fine dressmaking and sewing techniques. This beautifully illustrated book showcases unknown gems from personal and public collections, and brings to life the history of this unique craft tradition. The various chapters describe the mysterious origins of the craft, the range of costumes, the inspirations behind it motifs, the time-honoured elaborate production process, and the bewildering array of stitches that raised this craft to a truly exceptional art form.

Asian Embroidery Is The Result Of An International Seminar Held By Crafts Council Of India, Which Was Coordinated By The Well-Known Authority On Textiles, Jasleen Dhamija. Writers, Researchers, Professors, Who Have Spent A Life Time Researching In Different Regions Of Asia Came Together To Share Their Know Ledge. Besides Well-Known Subjects As Phulkari, Bagh, The Central Asian Suzani, There Are The Little Known Embroideries Of The Philippines, Of Kyrgyzstan, Of The Chinese Settlers In Indonesia, The Beadwork Of Sarawak. There Is The Brilliant Work Of The Symbolic Significance Of Light And Shining Surfaces And A Broad Sweep Of The Creative Expressions Of Different Regions. The Contributors Are Well- Known Authorities Padma Shri Jagdish Mittal, Prof. Joanne Eicher, Prof. Victoria Rivers, John Gillow, Prof. Shehnaz Ismail, Dr. Judy Frater, Ruby Ghuznavi, Edric Ong And Many Others.

This beautifully illustrated volume introduces a little-known but outstanding collection of Asian textiles in the Spencer Museum of Art at teh University of Kansas.