From India to the World: Textiles from the Parpia Collection” Showcases India’s Rich Textile Legacy
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is set to showcase India’s rich textile heritage in its exhibition “From India to the World: Textiles from the Parpia Collection”. This remarkable collection, acquired by the museum, features an extensive selection of Indian textiles spanning the 17th to early 20th century.
The Parpia Collection includes intricately woven court silks, boldly printed cottons, detailed tie-dyes, and fine Ikats, showcasing the technical expertise and regional diversity of Indian artisans. The exhibition highlights India’s longstanding role as a global hub for textile innovation, tracing the journey of Indian textiles across centuries and continents.
The exhibition explores 500 years of prosperous maritime trade that supplied Indian textiles to Southeast Asia, Europe, and Japan, initially led by Arab, Persian, and Indian merchants, and later dominated by Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders. Assembled with deep regional knowledge and artistry by Banoo and Jeevak Parpia, the Parpia Collection is regarded as one of the most significant private collections of Indian textiles outside India.
The collection includes 187 Indian textiles, featuring a wide range of techniques, including painting, block printing, ikat, tie-dye, brocade, tapestry, and embroidery. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has a longstanding commitment to the arts of India, and this exhibition further cements its role as a key institution for Indian textile heritage. The exhibition builds on the museum’s 2023 presentation “Woven Wonders: Indian Textiles from the Parpia Collection” and runs until September 14, 2025 ¹ ².
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