World Textiles

An updated edition of this indispensable reference, surveying the history of textiles from twenty-five thousand years ago to the present. 

The history of textiles, more than that of any other artifact, is a history of human ingenuity. From the very earliest needles of twenty-five thousand years ago to the smart textiles of today, textiles have been fundamental to human existence, and enjoyed, prized, and valued by every culture. Silks from China, cottons from India, tapestries from Flanders, dyes from South America—the appeal of different weaves, colors, and patterns was long a motivation for trade, the exchange of ideas, and sometimes even war.

Mary Schoeser’s groundbreaking book, now revised and updated to incorporate new research with color illustrations, presents a chronological survey of textiles around the world from…