Textiles

April 1, 2010
More catalog than comprehensive survey, "Textiles" accompanies a current exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe and serves as a showcase for an important yet hidden part of this museum's extraordinarily collections. Sumberg (curator of textiles and costume, Museum of International Folk Art; coauthor, "Sleeping Around: The Bed from Antiquity to Now") has organized the work broadly between nonwearable textiles and dress, with each functional category illustrated with pieces that represent the museum's global breadth. The 400 color photographs show each piece in its entirety, with additional detail illustrations depicting their intricate technical aspects. Captions include a description of materials, size, approximate date, and acquisition details. VERDICT While the book's broad scope precludes focused or scholarly analysis within the text, the explanatory notes provide glimpses into the broader cultural importance of these treasures. The selected bibliography and index are similarly brief and geared to a general audience. "Textiles" will be appreciated by lovers of ethnic arts and crafts.Nancy B. Turner, Syracuse Univ. Lib., NY

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