WOVEN WONDERS: INDIAN TEXTILES FROM THE PARPIA COLLECTION

The Parpia Collection—one of the most significant private collections of Indian textiles outside of India—is also one of the most important in the United States. Seldom are collections of Indian textiles as comprehensive, or collected with such expertise.

With this exhibition, the MFAH furthers its goal of representing the rich cultural heritage of Houston’s South Asian community. Woven Wonders: Indian Textiles from the Parpia Collection brings this extraordinary collection to Houston audiences for the first time.


Image : Golconda Picchwai, Pichwal, 18th century, painted textile, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection. Image above: Bengal, Alternative Kantha, Playful and Colourful Abstract, early 20th century, cotton ground with cotton embroidery, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection. 

Assembled to reflect India’s myriad range of regional traditions, the Parpia Collection includes singular pieces that showcase the extraordinary aesthetic and technical diversity of Indian textiles. Ranging from folk textiles to sophisticated court textiles, the objects date from the 14th century to the early 20th century. The collection illustrates the preeminence of textile arts produced in India throughout history with examples of hand-painted and hand-block-printed cotton, embroidery, ikat, tie-dye, brocade, and tapestry.


Image: Rajasthan Shekawati, Bandhani Turban Cloth, 19th century, bandhani, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection.

The MFAH has a long-standing commitment to South Asian art, especially Indian textiles. New York–based collectors Banoo and Jeevak Parpia have been involved with the Museum since 2018, first as guest speakers on India’s global textile traditions, and then as experts to help survey and review selections from the Museum’s Annette Finnigan Collection.


Image: Indian Coromandel Coast, Palampore, 18th century, cotton (plain weave), hand-drawn, mordant-dyed and resist-dyed, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection.

Woven Wonders: Indian Textiles from the Parpia Collection is on show at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston until 4 September 2023.

Find out more:
www.mfah.org/exhibitions/woven-wonders-indian-textiles-parpia-collection