Traveling to India via Houston TX
I have never been to India; I do have friends who lived there for many years in the Northern part and of course, some of the fleet of doctors I see are from India. The colors of India are always so intense and rich; I was pleased to find this exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.
The trappings of royalty were incredible. First there was this elephant in royal robes with a carriage atop seating four with an umbrella overhead.
More carriages were inside along with elaborate pavilions. I was fascinated by a game board set out with what looked like thimbles as playing pieces.
Then there were the bejeweled daggers and turban ornaments and fancy outfits for the male warriors–precisely block printed.
A mortar was particularly interesting–it was elaborately decorated with swirls and flowers and leaves and vines.
What was impressive was the vast usage of red and yellow. And I wondered where did they get the red dye–was it cochineal? or cinnabar? or madder? More investigation!
Sylvia Weir Art 