Site Purpose ...

The purpose is to show the greatest number of people our collection. I want to either display these as an exhibit somewhere or sell them to people who are interested. We have a museum quality collection of Tibetan, and Indian textiles. I would feel sad if they are to be stored while Rie-san and I travel. If there are questions about a particular piece, feel free to ask. Each photo was uploaded under its stock number and size. We accept all forms of payment, easiest is Paypal. The photos of the textiles I took outside using natural light. I didn't try to cover up any damage, it is as it is. Considering their age, most are in excellent condition. Any damage is easily seen. The information I obtained from experience and reading the books available.

Why Textiles ...

Textiles are unique to each country. Unique and rare insight to traditions and culture that now we can consider history. I liken collecting textiles to the notion of big game or a treasure hunting expedition in earlier times. I can not bring myself to shooting an animal and I do not have the patience to weave a textile. That said, I find it much more interesting hunting for a great textile piece than about anything else.

Travel pictures are great, a textile I can touch and it represents the rich history of a particular people. There is a greatness that can not be reproduced- the patina, smell, the soul is lost if not original. I like the human element in the construction, the purpose, and the necessity of which the textiles were used. If we look through history, most textiles were made for an individual person's needs, a special place or event, and often a gift of religious significance. We can learn alot through textiles. Antique textiles once displayed, create this aura of mystery immediately.

This treasure hunt takes me to small villages, knocking on doors and being led house to house by someone who hopes to make a small commission if I buy a piece. I have gotten to see how people live, sometimes spending hours, sometimes months negotiating prices. I have made many friends and acquired museum quality pieces. The word "treasure" should be well noted, there are few places on Earth that have not been completely scoured for antiques. If a modern day treasure hunter adds up his time, counts his money spent in the search, adds this amount to the purchase price there is little profit in antiques. The passion of treasure hunting is insurmountable.

I started to travel 1998. In 97, I was in a bad motorcycle accident. I lost my leg. Sounds worst than it is, if it didn't happen, I wouldn't have met my wife, not traveled, nor experience life as I now know it. I met my wife to be in 2000, she is my other half. Mike's Idiom: Two brains are better than one. 4 eyes are better than two.

First Trip briefly...

I should set this up a bit. The first Tibetan Rug I found was a fragment used on the front seat of a truck I hitched on in western China. For all the crimes of the cultural revolution, this land- Tibet was simple, being used as it had for thousands of years. That year, foreigners were no longer forced to use special money called FEC's. No one, and I mean no one spoke English. The older generations still dressed in labor camp style, blue Mao uniforms and hats. Mao statues were the center of each city. Seven out of ten of the worlds most polluted cities were Chinese. Buses were infrequent and most people would ride in the back beds of big trucks. It seemed that there were more horse drawn carts in and beyond Western China than personal vehicles. That was then, China does in 10 years what it takes other countries centuries!

Continues on page two....

A nice view of the loom made in the home. An apron panel is being woven.

Copyright 2006 by M Petras