Publicity
The
Tilleke & Gibbins Textile Collection
In 1989, old ethnic textiles were brought
to the new Tilleke & Gibbins Building in Bangkok, Thailand
for decorative purposes. Little then did our law firm realize
the significance of this initiative--the creation of a new
awareness of local hand-woven textiles as an important art
form. Soon after, the firm decided to seriously collect and
preserve textiles from the region with the objective of assembling
a museum-quality collection.
The Tilleke & Gibbins mainland Southeast
Asian Textile Collection is composed of both typical and rare
textiles principally of the Tai, an ethnolinguistic group
found in regions of Thailand, Laos, northern Vietnam, southern
China and Myanmar (Burma). The collection also includes pieces
made by Khmer, Burmese, Naga, Indonesian, and Chin ethnic
groups, Vietnamese ethnic minorities, and various hill tribes.
Today, the collection consists of over 1,650 pieces, which
are displayed in our offices on rotation.
While each and every piece in the collection
has been selected for its high quality of design and execution
of craft, there are a number of textiles of exceptional quality
and some pieces that are unique examples of their kind. For
instance, the pha piao (head cloths) of the Tai produced
during the early twentieth century are especially noteworthy,
including one extremely rare silk base indigo cloth. Several
Cambodian sampot hol (ikat hip wrappers) and
Cambodian pidan (ikat wall hangings) are examples of
a very high quality weft ikat that is no longer produced.
The collection is looked after by an in-house
curator and a textile consultant.
Great care is taken in the handling and displaying
of the textiles. To prevent deterioration of the textiles
caused by the harmful effects of light, ultraviolet filters
have been placed over the office light bulbs. Archival materials
are used in storing the textiles.
For private viewings and information regarding
the Tilleke & Gibbins Textile Collection, please contact
Ms. Wipawee Tiyawes, Textile Curator (Tel. +66 2263 7700 Ext.
559).
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