Lao Textiles and Traditions (Images of Asia) [Hardcover]

Mary Connors (Author)

Book Description

Series: Images of Asia | Publication Date: May 15, 1997

Lao Textiles and Traditions focuses on the historical and cultural background of the Lao-Tai, whose exquisitely woven textiles with rich natural dyes and intricately fashioned designs have amazed and intrigued textile connoisseurs for years. Beautifully illustrated, the book tells the story of the people who created these masterpieces and who are still living lives intimately bound to their traditions and textiles.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9835600015
• ISBN-13: 978-9835600012
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,309,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to Lao textiles, January 28, 2003

By 

K. Maxwell "katmax1" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lao Textiles and Traditions (Images of Asia) (Hardcover)

This little book is a great primer for the wonderful world of Lao textiles. It gives you a background to the various Lao communities, explains what sort of textiles are woven and how they are used in daily and ritual life. There is also a basic guide to the meanings of various designs that are commonly found in these weavings.

The hand woven textiles of Laos are intricate and gorgeous displaying a wide variety of technique from ikat to supplementry weft weaving that gives the impression of embroidery. They are made in coarse cottons through to gorgeous silks - mostly on home looms by women in villages. That these wonderful textiles are still being made today is in some ways a minor miracle and their revival in recent times is something we should all be glad of.

The middle section of this book contains colour photographs which give you a good feel for some of the range available in this textile work. While this book is not the last word on Lao textiles is a fantastic introduction to a sometimes under-rated art form.

If you enjoy hand woven textiles an excursion into the world of Lao textiles is very worthwhile and rewarding and here is a good place to start to get a feel for their beauty.