This is the first reference work to describe the history of embroidery throughout Central Asia, the Iranian Plateau and the Indian Subcontinent from the medieval period through to the present. It offers an authoritative guide to all the major embroidery traditions of the region and a detailed examination of the material, technical, artistic and design dimensions of the subject, including its use by today's fashion designers.For millennia, the peoples of Central Asian, the Iranian Plateau and the Indian Subcontinent have migrated and traded along the multiple strands of the Silk Road, both north-south and east-west. This history of contact has found rich expression within the arts and crafts of the region and particularly in the heritage of embroidery which has sat at the heart of the social and cultural lives of these diverse communities. Embroidery has been produced to decorate individuals, their families, their clients, their homes and public spaces and has reflected economic and political changes over time as well as social, religious and artistic contexts.Generously illustrated with 500 images (over 450 in colour) of clothes, accessories, and examples of decorated soft furnishings such as cushions, bed linen, curtains, floor coverings and wall hangings, the Encyclopedia is an essential resource for students and scholars of the subject.This volume is the second in the Bloomsbury World Encyclopedia of Embroidery series. The first volume, on embroidery from the Arab World, won the 2017 Dartmouth Medal, awarded by the American Library Association for a reference work of outstanding quality and significance.

Volume 2 in the Bloomsbury World Encyclopedia of Embroidery series (8 volumes); the first volume, on the Arab World, won the ALA Dartmouth Medal for a reference work of outstanding quality and significance

ContributorsPrefaceAcknowledgementsSection One: Background Information1. Introduction2. Fibres, Threads and Ground Materials3. Embroidery Tools and Equipment4. Hand and Machine Embroidery Techniques5. Designs and DesignersSection Two: Historical Embroideries6. Introduction: Evidence for early Central Asian and Iranian Plateau Embroidery7. Safavid Period Embroidery8. Ancient and Historical References to Indian Subcontinent Embroidery9. Snapshot: Medieval Nepalese Embroidery10. The Mughal Court and Embroidery11. Snapshot: Indian Quilts for European MarketsSection Three: Embroidery from Central Asia12. Introduction13. Snapshot: Embroidered Caps from Central Asia and Afghanistan14. Embroidery from Kazakhstan15. Embroidery from Kyrgyzstan16. Embroidery from Uzbekistan17. Suzanis18. Embroidery from Turkmenistan19. Embroidery from TajikistanSection Four: Embroidery from the Iranian Plateau20. Introduction21. Snapshot: Embroidered Zurkhaneh Breeches22. Qajar and Later Embroidery23. Embroidery on Modern Iranian Regional Clothing24. Embroidery from Afghanistan25. Snapshot: Afghan Coats and Western FashionSection Five: Embroidery from the Indian Subcontinent26. Introduction27. Embroidery from Baluchistan28. Embroidery from Pakistan29. Phulkari Embroidery30. Introduction to Indian Embroidery31. Woven and Embroidered Shawls from Kashmir32. Embroidery from Northern India33. Embroidery from Western and Southern India34. Indian Metal thread embroidery (Zardozi)35. Snapshot: Three Examples of Indian Beadwork36. Snapshot: Indian Fashion Designers and Hand Embroidery37. Snapshot: The Roles of NGOs and Other Groups within the Field of Hand Embroidery in India38. Embroidery from Nepal39. Embroidery from Bhutan40. Embroidery from Bangladesh41. Snapshot: Embroidery and Lace from Sri Lanka42. Snapshot: 'Embroidery' from the MaldivesSection Six: AppendicesAppendix 1a: Drawings of the Embroidery StitchesAppendix 1b: A-Z List of Embroidery StitchesAppendix 2: International Collections with Relevant EmbroideriesBibliographyIndex