Embroidered Textiles. : Traditionnal Patterns from Five.

Embroidery has been practiced for thousands of years across the continents. In the West, traditions have been at the mercy of trade and fashion, but in much of the rest of the world, embroidery continues to be rooted in ancient beliefs and superstitions.This book is the first to examine in detail the symbolism of the motifs and designs that give life to these marvelous textiles. It features specially taken photographs of a dazzling array of embroideries from all over the world and a lively and informative text that explores the relation of designs to different religions, traditions, and cults. A comprehensive regional guide to the identification of embroidery and advice on collecting and international collections make this an essential book for anyone interested in the textile arts.

Sheila Paine spent two decades traveling the world to research embroidery traditions and is a regular writer for the periodical Embroidery.