Ikat textiles, known as abr in their lands of origin in Central Asia, are beloved by collectors, decorators and textile devotees across the world. This book presents a new approach to the intricately patterned silk textiles by focusing on complete robes from a major Russian collection. These items of clothing tell stories about their wearers: their home, identity and place in society. By studying the history, making, and changing fashions of ikat robes, the past is brought to life. It quickly becomes clear that the power and influence of Central Asian costume reached far beyond the borders of modern Uzbekistan, inspiring imitations and providing visual stimuli for avant-garde artists. With stunning photography and previously unpublished research findings, this publication is a new take on ikat costume for those interested in the history of textiles and fashion, but also for those wishing to admire the sheer beauty and exquisite craftsmanship of these remarkable textiles.

• This is the first time all the different iterations of this textile have been comprehensively brought together in one volume, drawing from the wide-ranging collection of David Paly
• It is a journey across the world through the lens of ikat

Deceptively simple or fantastically intricate, ikat technique has been used for many centuries to create extravagant costumes and cloths of deep cultural meaning. The distinctively blurred, feathered or jagged patterns of ikat-dyed textiles are found across much of the world - from Japan in the east to Central and South America in the west, with vast areas of South-east Asia, India, Central Asia and the Middle East in between. The traditional patterns still hold cultural relevance today in significant parts of the long-established ikat-weaving areas. Textile artists and fashion designers in many and varied countries have taken ikat in new directions, respecting traditional forms and palettes while creatively diverging from them.

This is the first time all the different iterations of this textile have been comprehensively brought together in one volume, drawing from the wide-ranging collection of David Paly. It is a journey across the world through the lens of ikat.

A detailed study of the Great Mongol Shahnama, considered to be the greatest of all Persian illustrated manuscripts​

The Great Mongol Shahnama is widely considered to be the definitive version of Firdausi's epic poem, and the greatest of all Persian illustrated manuscripts. The paintings from this manuscript are held in private collections and institutions around the world, and have only been seen together in a single volume once since they were originally dispersed. This monograph reunites the paintings and reproduces them as 67 full-page, high quality color plates, alongside an analysis by leading scholar of Islamic art, Robert Hillenbrand. With newly commissioned photographs and insights into technical aspects of the paintings, The Great Mongol Shahnama is a comprehensive resource for those interested in Persian art and manuscripts.

Distributed for Hali Publications Ltd. and the FreerSackler, Smithsonian. Co-published by Hali Publications Ltd. and the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, and supported by Qatar Museums.

Exhibition Schedule:

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, DC
(December 2020-June 2021)

- Featuring many previously unseen antique suzanis with glorious colors

- New research of interest to both novices and experts

- A must-have for textile lovers

Suzanis, the exquisite hand-embroidered panels from Central Asia, have captured the hearts and minds of collectors and decorators for many years. Joyful and exuberant, they are a bridge to a past way of life in which textiles permeated every facet of existence. While today they adorn the walls of museums and can be spotted in homes designed by interior designers such as Robert Kime and Beata Heuman, not much is known about their history. This book sets out to change that. Through the lens of one of the best collections of suzanis in the world, we delve into the history of Central Asia and understand more about the women who painstakingly stitched these works of art. A true delight for all who have experienced the magic of the suzani, this publication pairs beautiful visuals with engaging new research.

- Tells an evocative story of life along the Silk Road

- A must-have for textile lovers

- Features many previously unpublished pieces

For thousands of years, the peoples of Central Asia have created spectacular textiles for every aspect of life. Infinite care, resources and time have gone into making elaborate costumes (connoting the wearer's identity and place in society), equestrian items, and exquisite furnishings for settled as well as nomadic lifestyles. Items of dress were decorated literally from top to toe: boots were embroidered with metal thread, while hats were stitched, appliquéd and felted. The women of a family would come together to embroider dazzling suzanis to form part of a bride's dowry; master dyers and weavers would craft vibrant ikat hangings. Combined, these objects tell an evocative story of life along the Silk Road in times past. This book brings together outstanding textiles from the Neville Kingston Collection, featuring many previously unpublished pieces. It is the second volume to document this exceptional English collection; Turkmen Carpets: The Neville Kingston Collection was published in 2016.

Do you want to discover the secrets of the best wineries in Italy? Do you want to plan the trip of your life and sip away through the best Italian wineries? Then, this book is for you!

This is the second in the I Love Italy. Wine instalment of fun and fact-filling your pockets about the world of Italian wine. As if our previous wisdom wasn't too much already, we are back this year with the next book in our series - the ultimate guide for wine enthusiasts looking to explore the vineyards of Italy in person. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the picturesque landscapes of Piemonte, this is the perfect handbook to take on the trip, but also beforehand to learn the journey ahead of the country's most iconic and historic vineyards. That old saying still applies to the best holidays - if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.

The book begins with a short introduction to the history and culture of Italian wine, including an overview of the different grape varieties and wine-making techniques used throughout the country. We don't spend too long on this as, ideally, you have the extended version of this from the first book, The Italian Wine Connoisseur. Shameless plug if I say so myself, but genuinely it saves on doubling up.

It then goes on to explore the different wine regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, and more. It has dedicated chapters for each specific region, including the best local vineyards, wineries, and wines. It will tell you how and when to visit, what you can expect to find from the experience, and which groups of people each may suit.

The book includes our trusty hand-drawn maps, illustrations and practical information such as opening hours, making it easy for readers to plan their own vineyard tour.

With The Ultimate Italian Wine Tour Pocket Guide in hand, readers can plan their tour of the country's most famous vineyards and discover the secrets behind producing some of Italy's most iconic wines. This book is a must-read for anyone planning a trip to Italy's wine country or those interested in wine, travel and Italian culture.

You'll discover:

• Lots of maps to guide you through Italy's wine regions
• Italian History of winemaking, including what you will see and experience on a tour
• How to plan your trip
• Things to know - heads up on times of year/seasons/trends / where it is expensive/easy to get to?
• During travel, what to pack, jetlag, airport hacks...
• On arrival at the main airports (Roma, Milan, Palermo...)
• How to use the train system
• Basic Italian phrases and pronunciation
• Useful contacts and emergency numbers
• What to do if things go wrong....

And much more!

If you thought that-after believing in Christ-your salvation was then up to you, be prepared for a surprise. The Gospel 'is not a proposition, but an announcement' and this book unpacks the wonder of its message. David Hewitt is the director of a contemporary church called Wellsprings Community, based in Newcraighall, Edinburgh, UK.

He writes, 'I discovered that there were other perspectives on the 'finished work of the Cross' that go back to the early Church Fathers. The Gospel message has been distorted at various times in history as one emphasis or another has been brought to bear, particularly in the last two centuries. When I delved deeper into teaching on the Trinity and the vicarious work of the Son of God, it was as if a weight lifted off my shoulders. Ever since, I have found that an understanding of the unrelenting, outrageous grace and goodness of God rings true in the core of my being. The Father is like the portrait Jesus gives us in Luke 15-the shepherd who goes after the lost sheep until he finds it, the woman who diligently recovers the lost coin and the father who, with lavish kindness, restores the undeserving son into the family home-and Jesus and the Father are one!'

David Hewitt, with profound simplicity, explores how our innermost longing is not for mere stasis but an ek-stasis: we have already been carried home, even carried out of ourselves ... Home has come to us. John Crowder (New Mystics)

Ultimate Rest is an invitation to metanoia, to theosis, to sharing in the divine life. There is grace available in the pages of this book-grace to experience abundant life, community, inner freedom and rest. Jason Clark (Rethinking God with Tacos podcast)

There is so much here to enrich your spiritual life and liberate your soul in the experiential freedom that is given to us in the gospel. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand what the Christian faith is all about or to go deeper in knowing Divine Rest. Paul Golf (Champions of Hope)

MY BRILLIANT BOOBS BY SARA HARDING

A must-read book about battling breast cancer one blog at a time

'Upfront, honest and heartbreaking' Sir Lenny Henry

'Sara is the Bridget Jones of Breast Cancer' Pink Ribbon Foundation

'Comedy - you won't read many other books about Breast Cancer like this one' Julia Bradbury

'Sex and the City with chemo' Sharon Ali, BBC

Sara Harding - music journalist and creative writer for Sir Lenny Henry had it all - brilliant boobs, a great job, fabulous friends, caring family, money in the bank, a new boyfriend and was living her best life. But that all changed four years ago when she was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

This debut is a modern mash up of blog/book/diary/advice/memes/socials/testimony and photos making it a must read for whether you've had cancer or not.

'During my cancer journey, I've experienced it all. I've gone from fabulous TV producer to foraging in food banks, being sick to Take That in the supermarket, an addiction to Jaffa Cakes, life saving treatment from the very sexy Dr Love, Sex, Drugs, Rock and Chemo, waiting room dramas, operation day disasters, Gemma Collins diva moments, wig woes, the shits, the pukes, hair loss, hallucinations, creepy dolls, council dinners, been told that my cancer wasn't 'on brand' and crying. Lots of crying'.

Cancer is no laughing matter but humour is definitely a way to get through this horrific disease. So I've created this 'blook', which is part diary and part advice. This blog style book is for everyone - for friends, family, colleagues and carers. My mission is to get everyone to check their lumps and bumps, help us all get over the scary bits and laugh at the good times.

'This is soon to be best selling book is a TV comedy drama in the making', John Dale - Editor Take a Break

Published by Cybermouse Books www.cybermouse.co.uk

For press enquiries and bookings email saraharding@yahoo.com 07941 390040

Marking the edge of existence, the lethal wall of the World's Divide has stood untouched for centuries. In that same time, Virisinigne has been ruled as a single kingdom-until now.

Under siege and sure to lose, the king has only one card left to play and one son who he is willing to risk it on. Despite being largely estranged since a teen, when crown and country demand Captain Niall's return home, duty compels him to answer.

Niall expects to be enlisted to fight, but when his father hastily commands him to take a pendant, sail through the impenetrable Divide, and plead for mercy from the unknown, he begins to realise how unique his calling is-and wonders if he is truly the man for the job.

But if Niall cannot be the prince he has spent his life trying to ignore and find a way to mend aeons of division in a world where all bow to a deity of fire, everything will burn...

Discover the journey of growth and introspection within Life's Messages and Musings, an extraordinary collection by the reflective author, Chris Hills.

This compilation, curated over years of thoughtful observation, draws from life's varied experiences to create a narrative that mirrors personal development.

Divided into two insightful sections, it explores love and conscious learning, intertwined with musings that reflect Hills' contemplative mind.

Each page is likely to resonate with your own life journey, echoing the cyclical patterns of existence.

Chris Hills shares stories that capture life's stages, leading to deep contentment.

More than a book, it's an invitation to explore a lifetime of learning and shared wisdom.

Join Chris Hills on this journey, let the reflections transform your perspective.

Dive into Life's Messages and Musings and discover life's beauty through the eyes of an introspective storyteller.

Experience the transformation, page by page!

Discover the journey of growth and introspection within Life's Messages and Musings, an extraordinary collection by the reflective author, Chris Hills.

This compilation, curated over years of thoughtful observation, draws from life's varied experiences to create a narrative that mirrors personal development.

Divided into two insightful sections, it explores love and conscious learning, intertwined with musings that reflect Hills' contemplative mind.

Each page is likely to resonate with your own life journey, echoing the cyclical patterns of existence.

Chris Hills shares stories that capture life's stages, leading to deep contentment.

More than a book, it's an invitation to explore a lifetime of learning and shared wisdom.

Join Chris Hills on this journey, let the reflections transform your perspective.

Dive into Life's Messages and Musings and discover life's beauty through the eyes of an introspective storyteller.

Experience the transformation, page by page!

Dive into the Raw and Unfiltered:

YOUR WORLD MY MIND Scroll 1

Step into a world where reality bites with intensity, where love, hate, desire, and profanity blend seamlessly.

YOUR WORLD MY MIND Scroll 1 is not just a book

It is an immersive experience.

My world a stage, where there's no place for Oscars or defences, only raw emotion and real life.

Born from the same environment, I judge and am judged.

I am the beating heart of life, pulsating with rhythm, rhyme, and prose.

Wrapped in the essence of rap, I'm a rebel without a cause, drifting wherever the winds may take me.

Dancing with the ripples, crashing on the rocks, life's full of surprises and sudden drops.

Join me in YOUR WORLD MY MIND Scroll 1.

Take this journey through the uncharted waters of existence.

This is not for the faint-hearted but for those ready to embrace the chaos and the calm.

Are you ready to confront the unfiltered truth?

Find YOUR WORLD MY MIND Scroll 1.

Let the journey begin.

It is perfect for those who crave raw, unvarnished reality.

Experience it today!

Anatolian Tribal Rugs 1050-1750: The Orient Stars Collection, a limited-edition companion to Orient Stars: A Carpet Collection (Stuttgart and London, 1993), presents 33 early rugs and textiles acquired between 1993-2006 by Heinrich and Waltraut Kirchheim. In this volume, Michael Franses discusses these exceedingly rare unpublished carpets with reference to their carbon-14 dating as well as comparative examples, and offers new commentary and dating for 43 of the carpets from the original book. Other contributors include: Anna Beselin, Walter Denny, Eberhart Herrmann, Klaus Kirchheim, Garry Muse and Friedrich Spuhler.

• Beautiful interior photography
• Great resource for interior designers and those with an interest in interior decoration

In New York, Jason Nazmiyal has a rug collection like no other. For the past three decades, interior designers and collectors have flocked to his Manhattan gallery to source art for the floor, be it a treasured antique classical carpet, an elegant Art Deco rug, or a Scandinavian minimalist piece. This book delves into the history of the handmade carpet across the world, before looking at the many ways rugs can be used to bring together interiors in a variety of styles. From a Mid-Century Modern residence to a contemporary urban sanctuary and a classic Upper East Side apartment, there is a rug for every space. With stunning interior photography and full of practical advice for the professional decorator as well as the amateur enthusiast, this publication is a useful and beautiful addition to the library of anyone with an interest in interior decoration.

• Untold stories of textile travellers
• Color photos of rare antique textiles and stunning interiors
• Featuring previously unpublished photographs from the 1970s of streets and bazaars in Central and South Asia
• A must-have for textile lovers and interior and fashion designers

Sheila Fruman, fascinated by the textiles and handmade carpets she saw when she traveled overland in 1969 from Turkey to India, tells the stories of nine intrepid adventurers who have combed the streets and bazaars of Central and South Asia finding, researching, collecting and selling antique Kashmir shawls, embroidered Uzbek textiles and robes, Anatolian kilims, Turkmen carpets and many other textile treasures to interested Westerners.

These stories capture the post-World War II era's free spirit that briefly coincided with economic prosperity and open borders. With over 200 color illustrations, the book shows how the indigenous designs and motifs popularized in the US and Europe by these textile travelers can now be found in anything from haute couture to high-end interior design to mass-marketed bedding, tableware and clothing.

The dealers and collectors who have spent their lives seeking these complex pieces of the past

have intriguing stories to tell and collections of some of the finest textiles of their kind in the world. Taken together, their stories are an enlightening guide to understanding how we connect to the past, and how textiles connect the world.

- High quality collection, including several 'best of type' pieces- Interesting individual take on the psychology of collectingThis fine tribal rug collection, built over many years by a Buenos Aires artist/architect, has at its heart a superb selection of 'Bird' designed rugs, alongside many other characteristic knotted-pile rugs woven by the nomadic tribes of the Khamseh Confederation in southwest Iran during the 19th century. In addition, smaller numbers of related weavings are featured, made by by neighbouring South Persian nomads (such as the Qashqa'i and the Afshar) as well as two highly focused groups of Shikli Kazak and 'Keyhole' design village rugs from the Transcaucasus region. The collector/author's lucid bilingual texts explain his passion for these stunning woven creations. His choices of collectable pieces are informed by his perspective as a successful artist and architect working in the Argentinian capital. Text in English and Spanish.

-A remarkable book, dedicated to the intricacies of Tibetan costume -This book takes a textile-centric viewpoint, but also branches out into the lives of local Tibetan people who share their stories through interviews Exploring the vast range of materials and techniques used in the making of Tibetan clothing and ornaments, this book takes a closer, more intimate look at the different cultural groups within this diverse country, discussing how national costume relates to their everyday life. The technical approach will appeal to spinners, weavers, felt makers, braiders, embroiderers, jewellers and costume enthusiasts. The book will also interest many general readers in Europe and America who are fascinated by the aura of the Tibetan Region; the lifestyle of the people who live amongst Tibet's high peaks, emerald forests, and stunning lakes command world-wide interest. Richly illustrated with the author's evocative contemporary high quality photographs, dating from the mid 1980s, this book is a visual journey into the heart of the country. It documents the people, and their costumes and related crafts, focussing on the historical Tibetan regions of Amdo and Kham. Tibetan Clothing and Jewellery is unique in its reflection of historical material. It combines this academic knowledge base with original observations and wide-ranging interviews with nomads and farmers, all of which centre around costumes locally possessed and worn by Tibetans today.

• This is the first book devoted exclusively to the hand-woven bands made by the nomadic peoples of Iran
• The publication features many previously unpublished weavings of great art-historical and anthropological importance

There is a rich tradition of hand-woven bands made by the nomadic pastoralists of Iran. They have a large and detailed design vocabulary and were executed using weaving skills that were not exceeded by any other weaving tradition. No study of nomadic life and weavings in Iran is complete without them. Among Qashqa'i tribal weavers in particular, the warp-faced bands used to attach loads to pack animals were a key symbol of their nomadic life. These bands carry a large repository of motifs that may be a source of archaic design elements. Bands illustrate a connection between and among groups of nomadic pastoralists, as great distances may have separated their ancestors for hundreds of years. Although the overwhelming majority of weavers were illiterate, they possessed a different form of literacy in which they were capable of transferring an image into a woven structure. This is the first book devoted exclusively to these weavings.

Contents: Introduction; The Functions of Warp-faced Bands in Nomadic Life; Structure and Construction; Buckles & Fastening Systems on Bands; Dating Textiles; Design & Structural Changes on Nineteenth and Twentieth-Century Warp-faced Bands; Imagery & Design Elements; Tribal Confederacies; Plates; Bands, Ropes, Braids, and Tassels among Qashqa'i Nomads; Glossary; Bibliography.