Silk Brocades/Yashodhara Agrawal. New Delhi, Roli Books, 2003, 144 p., $33. ISBN 81-7436-258-4.

Contents: Introduction. 1. Historical perspective. 2. Ancient and medieval silk fabrics. 3. Expansion of the silk brocade industry. 4. Development of pattern. 5. Brocade weaving. 6. Southern and western Indian brocades. 7. Brocades of North India. 8. Varanasi: a special reference.

"Textiles have been produced by almost every advanced culture over the centuries—the Hellenic, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Achaemidian, Sassanian, Assyrian, Chinese, and Indian. But, they have hardly been the focus of serious study.

"Silk Brocades promises to remedy that. Rummaging through the cupboard of Indian history, it finds patterns that have persisted through three to four thousand years, textiles imbued with religious symbols, silk-weaving centres which were the incubators of the tradition, and royal workshops that created the finest brocades. The narrative shows how Indian silk brocades grew to become world famous. Richly textured visuals accompany the words throughout, greatly adding to the understanding and appeal of the subject." (jacket)

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