Traditional Indian Designs From the author - - Introduction The arts and crafts or India are an immediate expression of Indian civilisation. They represent many thousands of years of mythology, philosophy, spiritual beliefs, ideals, outlooks, regional traditions and detailed observation of daily life. The subcontinent, an area similar in size and cultural diversity to that of Europe, has produced an immense wealth of artifacts through its village artisans, centres of specialist production and imperial workshops. About the designs With its intense tropical heat and exuberant rain, life in India has progressed amongst a profusion of exquisite plants and flowers and beautiful lakes, rivers and rock formations. It is hardly surprising then, that nature has emerged as the main inspiration in Indian design. One example is the paisley motif, which represents the curling fronds of the date palm. This is best known for its embellishment of the beautiful pashmina shawls which have been produced in Kashmir since the 1600s. Many of the traditional designs which decorated carpets, metal work, stone inlay, papier mache, brocades and other textiles, were inspired by depictions in early miniature court paintings. The designs were drawn on paper by an artist and then executed by craftsmen who specialised in a particular medium. The initial design included all the necessary information required for completion of the work - details of form and proportion and application of colour. And finally This book provides material from many inspiring aspects of Indian design. You can simply copy the patterns, adapt the images to suit your own requirements, or use them as inspiration for your own designs. Soft cover, 32 pages. Price: $18.95 ($17.23)