The art of textiles has long been a personal passion. As handwoven expressions in silk, cotton, wool, or bast fiber they have been made for art, ritual, and personal adornment and as such are unique representations of the cultures from which they come. Sadly, this art is passing as lifestyles change and the expert weavers die off without having anyone to pass their art on to. The pieces in the collection include seemingly utilitarian items such as baby carriers and clothing, as well as sacred works used only for important rituals. Each has been carefully collected for its aesthetic qualities, condition, skillful weaving or fine embroidery, and/or ethnographic importance.

We include examples from the finest textile traditions of Asia: mainland and insular Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, Central Asia, India, and Bhutan, as well as Africa.