Russian Textiles: Printed Cloth for the Bazaars of Central Asia, Susan Meller

Russian Textiles explores the striking printed cottons produced in Russia specifically for the markets of Central Asia, revealing a fascinating exchange between industrial production and local textile traditions. Through more than 175 colour photographs and archival images, the book traces designs ranging from Art Nouveau florals to Soviet-era agitprop, while showing how these fabrics became part of everyday dress, quilts, and domestic life.

Set against the rich textile culture of Central Asia, the book reveals how inexpensive, brightly coloured Russian prints entered local bazaars and were adopted alongside handwoven silks, ikats, and embroidered cloth. Drawing largely from Susan Meller’s own collection, the surviving textiles offer a vivid material record of cultural exchange, changing tastes, and the impact of Russian industrial production across the region.

About the Author

Susan Meller is a textile collector, researcher, and author with a particular interest in the printed fabrics of Central Asia and Russia. Her extensive personal collection and research have brought attention to textile traditions and objects that might otherwise remain overlooked, illuminating the histories and cultural exchanges held within cloth.

Publication date: 1 September 2007
Publisher: Abrams Books
Pages: 208
ISBN: 9780810993815
Size: 31.3 × 26.4 × 2.1 cm