Chintz
A Global Story: The Karun Thakar Collection

It was in India several thousand years ago that the technique for dyeing cotton—a material that is not straightforward to dye—in durable colors using madder, indigo, and other dyes combined with mordants and resists was established. Known as ‘sarasa’ in Japan and ‘chintz’ in the English-speaking world, cotton cloth dyed with bold yet intricate designs in vivid colors became a product that swept the world. This exhibition looks at the way Indian chintz has been shaped by centuries of global trade. Exhibits are drawn primarily from the extraordinary collection built by Mr. Karun Thakar, an eminent collector living in London. It is hoped that the amazing examples of Indian chintz on view will guide visitors through the fascinating story of how the introduction of Indian chintz to Europe, Southeast Asia, and Japan fostered a shared global aesthetic and encouraged fresh local creativity.

Image: Hanging, 17th–18th century
Karun Thakar Collection, London.
Photo by Desmond Brambley