Pattern and Ornament in the Arts of India

Description

The visual exploration of India's decorative genius presented here focuses on architecture - forts, palaces, havelis or mansions, tombs, temple and mosques. It concentrates on north-west India, which has an exceptionally rich seam of ornamented architecture - forts and palaces of Rajput and Mughal princes, mansions of Gujarati merchants, and much more. Three elements are essential to the evolution of this ornamentation in carved stone, wood, plaster both moulded and painted, and glass (both coloured and mirrored): the natural world, the materials themselves, and the many hundreds of thousands of artists and craftsmen who have created this generous abundance of work. Henry Wilson examines all in his introductory texts, and displays the results in his remarkable photographs and stencil-like drawings.

Henry Wilson is known for his photographs of India, which have appeared in many magazines and books, including Benares, IndiaContemporary and The Floral Patterns of India, all published by Thames & Hudson. His drawings of Indian motifs inspired Osborne & Little to commission the Sariskar Collection of wallpapers from him.

'Masterful ... Wilson is an author of deep erudition who writes without a trace of pedantry. He is passionate to convince us that understanding what lies on the surface of these monuments will lead us into the soul of their patrons and creators' - World of Interiors 'An excellent sourcebook ... the wonderful photographs make this a book that anyone can enjoy' - Cassone