Tai Magic, Arts of the Supernatural in the Shan states and Lan Na.
This new publication offers an insight into the arts of magic in the Shan States of Burma (Myanmar) and Lan Na (north Thailand). Inspired by manuscripts and textiles in museum collections, this book explores the meaning and use of spells, incantations, mystical diagrams and illustrations. Available from September 2014. Buy online: Amazon UK ISBN: 6167339155 or 978-6167339153 Pages: 220 Details: Colour illustrations and photographs Publication: River Books, 2014
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The Shan Culture, Art and Crafts.
The Shan States are uniquely situated at the crossroads of inland South-east Asia and are bordered by China, Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand. The author begins by tracing the history of the Shan people and the royal families who ruled from the thirteenth century to the middle of the twentieth century. She has travelled extensively throughout the Shan States to photograph Buddhist temples and monuments, and secular architecture in the villages and towns. This lavishly illustrated book also focuses on fine art and crafts, including Buddhist mural paintings, textiles, furniture, lacquer ware, silverware, pottery and basketry. The author includes original archival material in the form of historic photographs of life in the Shan States at the end of the nineteenth century. The book is an important contribution to our knowledge of the Shan people and how they have contributed to the culture of inland South-east Asia. Buy online: Amazon | Amazon UK | Abe Books | River Books Bangkok ISBN: 9749863062 Pages: 212 Details: Over 300 colour illustrations Publication: River Books, 2006
Thai Textiles.
This book is an excellent introduction to the weaving traditions of Thailand. The book begins with an ethnic and historical survey of the peoples of Thailand, their religious and social traditions, and the role textiles play in all aspects of life. Two chapters deal with the arts of silk and cotton production and spinning weaving and dyeing techniques. The book then examines Thai dress and weaving patterns and their regional variations. The book is beautifully illustrated with the author's own photographs, taken during a year and a half spent in the villages of Thailand. In this, fourth in the British Museum's series on ethnographic textiles, Conway presents the reader with an excellent account of Thai weaving, its history and its significant role in the rituals of religious, court, urban and rural life. Hers is a clear and systematic account, with two chapters devoted to the cultural background, two on the techniques of yarn and cloth production, two on end-uses (costume, and ceremonial and household textiles) and three which examine regional distinctions. There is also a well thought-out glossary. Buy online: Amazon | Amazon UK | Abe Books ISBN: 0714125067 Pages: 192 Details: 105 Colour plates and 55 black and white illustrations Publication: British Museum Press, 1992, reprinted 2001
Tai Textiles in the Mekong region - Continuity and change.
Susan Conway was a contributor to this exhibit book. The exhibition explored the beauty and diversity of textiles made by Tai women from Laos, Thailand, China and Vietnam, drawing on collections from these four countries. The delicate and skilful techniques used in Tai textiles were revealed through 80 carefully selected objects which were all testimony to the Tai women weavers' important role in social life. The exhibition addressed the continuity of this vital tradition as it faced the challenges of the modern market and mass produced goods. Available from: Vietnam Museum Ethnology, Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam Pages: 180 Details: Colour illustrations and photographs Publication: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology 2006
Thailand Weaving and the Rice Cycle.
This small informative book accompanied the exhibition. Thailand: Weaving and the Rice Cycle, the first major exhibition of Thai textiles held in Britain. Available from: Suriwong Book Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand You can also purchase this book directly from Susan Conway in the UK for £5.50 plus £1.50 post and packing (UK sterling). Pages: 24 Details: 7 colour plates, 24 black and white. Publication: Published privately, 1990
Silken Threads Lacquer Thrones: Lan Na Court Textiles
In this lavishly illustrated book the author traces the history of court dress, textiles and regalia at the inland courts of South-east Asia. Indigenous silk and cotton, Chinese silk, Burmese and Shan fabrics and rich embroideries and sumptuous trimmings were used to create dress that dazzled the 19th century European and American explorers in the region. Goldsmiths, silversmiths, lacquer workers produced exquisite court regalia and furniture that provided the setting. Buy online: Amazon | Amazon UK | Abe Books ISBN: 1588860175 Pages: 280 Publication: Art Media Resources Ltd.
Power Dressing: Lanna Shan Siam
This book accompanied the first exhibition "Power Dressing" held at the James W. Thompson Museum, Bangkok Thailand. It makes an important contribution to the understanding of dress and politics in Burma (Myanmar) the Shan States, Thailand and China in the 19th century. The book is written in Thai and English and is illustrated with court dress, textiles and regalia, and rare 19th century court photographs. Buy online: Abe Books ISBN: 9749190084 Pages: 76 Publication: James H.W. Thompson Foundation, Bangkok, 2004
Through the Thread of Time.
Susan Conway was a contributor to this book. Edited by Jane Purananda. This highly-illustrated book presents the insights of 12 scholars and art historians into the textiles of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Authors include Mattiebelle Gittenger, John Guy, Susan Conway and Gillian Green. Topics cover such diverse subjects as Shan and Thai court dress, Khmer textiles and Cham weaving. Buy online: Amazon UK ISBN: 9748225763 Pages: 171 Details: Colour illustrations and photographs Publication: River Books, 2006
Burma: Art and Archaeology.
Susan Conway was a contributor to this book. Editors, T Richard Blurton and Alexandra Green. This volume presents papers from a unique two-day conference organized in London in 2000 by The British Museum and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Buy online: Amazon UK ISBN: 1588860248 or 978-1588860248 Pages: 192 Details: Colour illustrations and photographs Publication: Art Media Resources, 2003Compact disc “Burmese Gemstone Amulets and Talismans”
Catalogue of an important collection of amulets and talismans (Hungary 2016).
Monarchies and Decolonisation in Asia (Studies in Imperialism) Hardcover
Available 5th June 2020
About the Editors: Robert Aldrich is Professor of European History at the University of Sydney, Cindy McCreery is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Sydney. Dr Susan Conway contributes the chapter “Conflict and betrayal: negotiations at the end of British rule in the Shan States of Burma (Myanmar)” Buy online: Amazon UK ISBN: 1526142694 or 978-1526142696 Pages: 312 Details: Colour illustrations and photographs Publication: Manchester University Press (5 Jun. 2020)
HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn textile Collection: Symbols of Love and Respect
This book was produced as a tribute to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on her sixty-fifth birthday. Textiles and dress from all seventy-six provinces in Thailand are represented. Her Royal Highness travels extensively throughout the kingdom to support the arts and sciences, schools and higher education and as patron of charitable institutions. In particular HRH encourages traditional textile production in Thailand. The book contains colour photographs of textiles and dress, notes on where and when they were presented to HRH and for textile lovers, descriptions of raw materials and yarns and weaving and dyeing techniques. Pages: 260 Details: Colour illustrations and photographs Publication: Office of HRH Princess Sirindhorn, printed by Amarin Printing and Publishing Public Co. Ltd
