This book offers a fascinating journey through the history and culture of textiles in Africa drawn from the private collection of Karun Thakar, widely considered to be one of the best in the world. This collection of rare and exquisite textiles from Central, Northern, and West Africa includes weavings from Ghana, Nigeria, and the Ivory Coast; embroideries, veils, and haiks from Morocco and Tunisia; and raffia fabrics from Congo. Organised by region, each piece is dramatically photographed to highlight the extraordinary colours, patterns, and skill with which it was created. Drawn from a collection consisting of over 4,000 pieces, this book illustrates the most important textiles from the renowned collection. The book provides not only a thrilling sample of timeless patterns and designs but also a historical perspective that deepens our understanding of the importance of woven materials in the African tradition. AUTHOR: Duncan Clarke is an expert on African textiles. He currently runs a London-based gallery dedicated to exploring the vintage textile traditions of sub-Saharan Africa. Bernhard Gardi is Curator Emeritus of the African Department at the Museum der Kulturen in Basel. Frieder Sorber is the Curator of Historical Textiles at the Fashion Museum in Antwerp and one of the world's leading experts on textiles from North Africa. 230 colour
