From India to the World: Inside the Remarkable Parpia Textile Collection

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has unveiled a treasure trove of Indian textile artistry with its latest exhibition, "From India to the World: Textiles from the Parpia Collection." Running through September 14, 2025, this extraordinary showcase presents 67 carefully selected pieces from the museum's recent acquisition of 187 Indian textiles collected by Banoo and Jeevak Parpia of Ithaca, New York.

For over four decades, the Parpias have meticulously assembled what stands as one of the most significant private collections of Indian textiles outside of India itself. Their discerning eye and unwavering dedication have resulted in a collection that spans three centuries of textile innovation, from the 17th to the early 20th century, capturing the evolution of Indian craftsmanship through periods of tremendous cultural and economic change.

Floorspread, India, probably Gujarat, 19th century, cotton, block-printed, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection.

What makes this exhibition particularly compelling is its exploration of the remarkable adaptability of Indian textile artists. The curators, Rosemary Crill - formerly senior curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London - and Amy Poster, consulting curator at MFAH, have thoughtfully organised the display to illuminate the striking distinctions between textiles created for domestic Indian markets and those crafted specifically for export to Southeast Asia and Europe.

Ceremonial Textile detail, Coromandel Coast, India, for the Indonesian market, 17th-18th century, cotton, hand-drawn and block-printed, resist-dyed and mordant-dyed, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection, museum purchase funded by the Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Accessions Endowment.

These differences are far from subtle. Textiles destined for European markets reveal a fascinating cultural dialogue, where Indian artisans interpreted and adapted their traditional techniques to suit foreign tastes and preferences. The variations in colour palettes, pattern complexity, and overall format demonstrate not merely commercial accommodation, but a sophisticated understanding of cross-cultural aesthetic language.

Conversely, textiles produced for the Indian market showcase the full richness of indigenous design traditions, unfiltered by external commercial pressures. These pieces reveal the deep cultural significance embedded within every thread, pattern, and dye choice - elements that speak to centuries of refined artistic heritage.

Wall Hanging (Palampore), Coromandel Coast, India, for the Sri Lankan market, early 18th century, cotton, hand-drawn, mordant-dyed, and resist-dyed, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection, museum purchase funded by the Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Accessions Endowment.

The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to witness the extraordinary versatility and skill of Indian textile artists. Each piece tells a story of cultural exchange, artistic innovation, and the enduring power of craftsmanship to bridge worlds. The Parpia Collection's journey from private passion to public treasure ensures that these masterworks will continue to inspire and educate future generations about the profound artistry that flows from India.

For enthusiasts of textile history and admirers of exceptional craftsmanship, this exhibition represents an unmissable opportunity to experience the breadth and beauty of Indian textile traditions through one of the world's most distinguished collections.

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Further Information:

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

@mfahouston

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Image Credits:

Lead: Phulkari Head Cover (Bagh), Punjab, Pakistan, 19th century, cotton embroidered with floss silk threads, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection, gift of Banoo and Jeevak Parpia.

All other images as credited in photo captions.