NEW from ACC Art Books – Limited Edition: Sukita: EternityClick here to order

Book cover of The Shoemaker's Stitch: Mochi Embroideries of Gujarat in the TAPI Collection, with a floral embroidery in shades of red, green and purple. Published by Niyogi Books.

The Shoemaker's Stitch

Mochi Embroideries of Gujarat in the TAPI Collection

By (author) Shilpa Shah
Edited by Rosemary Crill

$120.00

  • Explores the history of chain-stitch embroidery in India and the stitch-craft of the Mochi or shoemaker community in Gujarat
  • Documents the previously unknown role of the women of the Mochi community in creating embroidery pieces
  • Features a catalogue of exquisite embroidery pieces from the TAPI Collection—a visual treat for lovers of Indian embroidery and handcrafted textiles
Full Description

The exquisite chain-stitch embroideries of Gujarat’s Mochi community are found in museum and private collections the world over, but the origins of the Mochis and their craftsmanship are rarely explored. This book is the first to delve deeply into the history of chain-stitch embroidery in India and its connections to the Mochi or shoe-maker community.

This work focusses on chain-stitch embroideries from the 18th to 20th centuries in the renowned TAPI collection of textiles, with many pieces having direct links both to Gujarati royal families and the lineage of Mochi craftsmen and women. The previously unknown but significant role of the women of the Mochi community in creating embroidery pieces is also explored.

The catalogue of images displays a wide range of exquisitely embroidered pieces ranging from Jain manuscript covers to portraits, items of clothing, fans, and furnishings, such as floor spreads, wall hangings and tent panels. The accompanying essays provide the background history of the Mochis and their work and also shed fresh light on chain-stitch embroideries in museums and private collections previously thought to be from the Mughal period. The book also gives an account of the contemporary scene, in which chain-stitch embroidery has found new directions and audiences worldwide.

 

About the Author

Rosemary Crill was formerly Senior Curator for South Asia at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, where she was a curator for 36 years. Specializing in Indian textiles and painting, she has published and lectured extensively in both areas. Her books include Indian Embroidery, Marwar Painting, Indian Ikat Textiles, Chintz: Indian Textiles for the West and The Fabric of India, which accompanied a major exhibition at the V&A in 2015-16. Her latest book, co-authored with Shilpa Shah, is The Shoemaker’s Stitch. Mochi Embroideries of Gujarat in the TAPI Collection (2022).

Shilpa Shah is the co-founder of the TAPI Collection of Indian Textiles and Art. She researches and writes articles on Indian textile art, and holds an M.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Specifications
Publisher
Niyogi Books
ISBN
9789391125455
Published
7th Aug 2023
Binding
Hardback
Territory
USA & Canada
Size
10 in x 12.5 in
Pages
220 Pages
Illustrations
274 color
Recently Viewed

Please log-in or create an account to see your recent items.