This beautifully illustrated, pioneering work surveys the history and techniques of textile production past and present in South-East Asia, offering important insights into the economic, social, and religious life of the people.

Created from an extensive range of locally produced and imported raw materials, and designed using an astonishing number of techniques--including different types of appliqué, decorative weaving, tie-dying, batik, and embroidery--Southeast Asian textiles are used to fashion an extraordinary variety of objects, ranging from everyday clothing to sacred and ceremonial costumes. This authoritative study focuses on the interplay between indigenous Southeast Asian traditions and the external cultural forces that have been a crucial part of the historical development and changing nature of the region's textile traditions. Maxwell considers the various ways Southeast Asian textile artisans reacted to the new ideas and raw materials from outside regions. The social, cultural, and religious dimensions of this art, the factors that condition how people create textiles, the way these are used, and the meaning of motifs and symbol are explored in detail. Including examples of textiles--some in categories that have never before been published--this reference work is a valuable contribution to the field of ethnographic textiles.

This highly-illustrated book presents the insights of 12 scholars and art historians into the textiles of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Authors include Mattiebelle Gittenger, John Guy, Susan Conway and Gillian Green. Topics cover such diverse subjects as Shan and Thai court dress, Khmer textiles and Cham weaving. 220 colour illustrations

Journey with fifteen scholars to Southeast Asia and neighbouring countries to discover the hidden meanings behind traditional textiles. Throughout Asia, textiles have played an important role in concepts of power and kingship and are also closely associated with shamanistic, Buddhist and Islamic beliefs. The papers presented in this work represent knowledge and research of leading scholars from around the world who participated in The James H W Thompson Foundation symposium in August, 2005. Diana K Myers compares Bhutanese and Southeast Asian textiles, Gillian Green covers Cambodian hangings, John Guy, Roy Hamilton and Robyn Maxwell discuss different aspects of Indonesian textiles, while Susan Conway investigates Shamanistic practices among the Shan. Barbara and David Fraser, Vibha Joshi and Piriya Krairiksh research the textiles of three other minority groups in Myanmar, while Patricia Cheesman and Linda McIntosh take us on a journey to Laos. For Thailand, Leedom Lefferts and Suriya Smutkupt look at links between Buddhism and textiles, while Thirabhand Chandrachareon discusses royal Thai brocades. Finally, Michael Howard shows how the Tai peoples of Vietnam use textiles to denote status and religion. 300 colour illustrations

In modern Indonesia, weaving still constitutes an important part of the life of millions. In Tenun: Handwoven Textiles of Indonesia, the rich weaving heritage of Indonesia is celebrated, with both past and present traditions explored. Drawing on the expertise and knowledge of recognized academics, Tenun provides a valuable addition to the steadily growing body of knowledge on Indonesian textiles.

This sumptuous book presents a fascinating overview of the use of cloth, its function in society and the messages contained within colour, pattern and technique.