Woven Wonders: Indian Textiles from the Parpia Collection June 10–September 4, 2023
Golconda Picchwai, Pichwal, 18th century, painted textile, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection.
Bengal, Alternative Kantha, Playful and Colorful Abstract, early 20th century, cotton ground with cotton embroidery, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection.
Indian Coromandel Coast, Palampore, 18th century, cotton (plain weave), hand-drawn, mordant-dyed and resist-dyed, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection.
Rajasthan Shekawati, Bandhani Turban Cloth, 19th century, bandhani, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection.
Bengal, Large Kantha, Domestic Embroidery Done by a Woman, late 19th–early 20th century, embroidered textile, the Banoo and Jeevak Parpia Collection.
Included with general admission. Get tickets here.
“Some of the most beautiful fabrics and tapestries one could wish to see.” —Chron
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.
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.
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.
► Shop the Show
Find exhibition-related items at the MFA Shop online.
► Multimedia Guide
The exhibition multimedia guide offers audio commentary on selected works of art, and videos about related topics. To listen in the galleries, please bring your mobile device and headphones.
► Group Visits
Visiting with a group of 10 or more? For information, see Group Visits and Tours. Group reservations not available for opening and closing weeks.
Woven Wonders: Indian Textiles from the Parpia Collection / June 10–September 4, 2023
This exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Lead Underwriters:
The Sushila and Dr. Durga D. Agrawal Family
Additional generous support is provided by:
Sesh and Prabha Bala
Milton D. Rosenau, Jr. and Dr. Ellen R. Gritz
Chitra Kumar and Kumar Bashyam
Paul and Manmeet Likhari
Nidhika and Pershant Mehta
Drs. Kumara and Usha Peddamatham
Special exhibition programming is made possible by The Medha and Shashank Karve Endowment Fund.