Pictorial Cambodian Textiles: Traditional Celebratory Hangings - Softcover

Gill Green

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9749863399 ISBN 13: 9789749863398

Publisher: River Books, 2009

Synopsis

The pictorial representations of Cambodian silk hangings, pidan, are unique in mainland Southeast Asia. Many of the few surviving antique textiles of this genre visualise, in astounding detail, Theravada Buddhist themes and are a response in silk to similar images in other artistic media also used in community religious practice. The imagery of another genre of pidan springs from a different source, and are distinguished by their common theme of a triad of bird/snake/tree of life. In addition some of this group have images of ships ranging from realistic to arcane. Latest research suggests that these hangings were essential to celebrations held at the end of the rainy season in Cambodia. This book illuminates many facets of these spectacular cloths. Assembling for the first time a comprehensive collection of pictorial pidan from private and public collections, many hitherto unpublished, the reader can revel in the wealth of cultural references encoded in the patterns.

About this title

Synopsis

The pictorial representation of Cambodian silk hangings, pidan, are unique in mainland Southeast Asia. Using the extraordinarily difficult weft hol techniques, the weavers create spectacular and complex pictorial designs of great intricacy. Many of the few surviving antique textiles in this genre visualize Theravada Buddhist themes. However, the imagery of another group of pidan springs from a different source, and are distinguished by their combinations of birds, snakes and trees of life; other even more unusual cloths have ship images. Latest research suggests these hangings were an essential part of celebrations held at the end of the rainy season. This book assembles for the first time a comprehensive collection of pictorial pidan from private and public collections, many hitherto unpublished, allowing the reader to marvel at the intricacy and delicacy of these extraordinary feats of weaving.

About the Author

Gillian Green is an expert on Khmer textiles contributing to many journals and books.

Edition details

• Publisher: River Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 9749863399
• ISBN 13: 9789749863398
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 166