First impressions of 'Embroidery Traditions of Afghanistan' from the Karun Thakar collection
A new exhibition, 'Embroidery Traditions of Afghanistan', draws on the Karun Thakar collection to celebrate the diversity, craftsmanship and beauty of Afghan embroidery. Ben Evans, Jeff Spurr, Janet Marion Purdy and members of the public share their reflections on the display
Most Recent
NewsNews & Events
A weekly round-up of what is happening in the world of carpets and textiles through the lens of hali.com
HALI magazine·2 min
NewsThe global luxury of the Kashmir Shawl
A Museum of Fine Arts Houston exhibition, ‘From Persia to Paisley: Global Luxury of the Kashmir Shawl’, reveals how Kashmir shawls have influenced global fashion, stimulated industrial innovation and shaped the tastes of collectors from the 16th–19th centuries.
HALI magazine·4 min
NewsWhat a Paris exhibition reveals about animal imagery in the Al Thani Collection
A Paris exhibition, ‘Animalia: Bestiary from the Al Thani Collection’ (1 July 2026–10 January 2027), explores depictions of the animal kingdom in one of the world's most significant private art collections
HALI magazine·5 min
NewsTextile structure and design in 'With Verticals' by Anni Albers
This week in Editor’s Choice, we look at Anni Albers’ With Verticals (1946), exploring her approach to line, rhythm and structure in weaving
Ben Evans·2 min
ReviewsAnni Albers: Material, Mind, and Meaning
An exhibition in Austria celebrates the work of Bauhaus weaver, Anni Albers
Ben Evans·5 min
NewsNews & Events, 21 August
A round-up of what is happening in the world of carpets and textiles through the lens of hali.com
HALI magazine·1 min
News
News & Events
A weekly round-up of what is happening in the world of carpets and textiles through the lens of hali.com
The global luxury of the Kashmir Shawl
A Museum of Fine Arts Houston exhibition, ‘From Persia to Paisley: Global Luxury of the Kashmir Shawl’, reveals how Kashmir shawls have influenced global fashion, stimulated industrial innovation and shaped the tastes of collectors from the 16th–19th centuries.
What a Paris exhibition reveals about animal imagery in the Al Thani Collection
A Paris exhibition, ‘Animalia: Bestiary from the Al Thani Collection’ (1 July 2026–10 January 2027), explores depictions of the animal kingdom in one of the world's most significant private art collections
Features
LACMA's new David Geffen galleries
The buzz created by the new David Geffen Galleries at LACMA has not all been positive. However, the radical approach, with the emphasis on fluidity, shows confidence in both the curatorial team and the intelligence of visitors
Palestinian dress preserves the memory of a vanished world
Few lands have been through as much upheaval as Palestine, and its proud embroidery tradition is now a culture in exile. A collecting couple reveals that the Palestinian past really is another country-clinging to survival through its textiles
The Mazarin Tapestry and the Coronation Carpet at Edward VII's Coronation
These 16th-century weavings both appeared at the coronation of King Edward VII. They are linked by the schemes of powerful art dealers, who traded masterworks with famous American industrialists and their heirs
Reviews
Anni Albers: Material, Mind, and Meaning
An exhibition in Austria celebrates the work of Bauhaus weaver, Anni Albers
Kamilah Ahmed's Jamdani-inspired installation at Leighton House
The Bangladeshi weaving tradition of Jamdani served as the primary inspiration for Kamilah Ahmed's site-specific installation, presented as part of the exhibition 'The Arab Hall: Past and Present' (21 March–4 October 2026)
Beyond the Silk Road, Across the Seas: Inside the 9th IASSRT Conference
Scholars from Asia, the Americas and Europe met at UC Berkeley for IASSRT's 9th conference, exploring Silk Road textiles, ikat, chintz and trade across centuries.
Marketplace
What stands out at Austria Auction Company’s September auction?
Austria Auction Company’s September sale offers Turkmen carpets, tiger rugs, Anatolian prayer rugs and kilims, with highlights from the Hans Sienkneckt estate among its 215 lots
Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show
The Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show has been a Santa Fe tradition for over 48 years. Here are a few pictorial highlights
Rugs from James D. Burns’s collection headline Bonhams Skinner’s antique carpets sale
Of the 340 lots on offer, 259 are carpets, including 33 from the esteemed collection of stalwart rug collector James D. Burns.
Issue 228Summer 2026Summer 2026 — Textile Exhibitions
HALI 228 explores little-known Kazakh embroidered suede robes in a long-awaited feature. Lebanese rug-weaving traditions get their own spotlight too, while Palestinian dress preserves the memory of a vanished world.
- FeatureKazakh embroidered suede robes
- Thread of timeTwo 16th-century weavings linked by powerful art dealers
- Anatomy of an objectAn inscribed Caucasian dowry rug and its matrimonial symbolism
- FeatureLebanese rug-weaving traditions
- FeaturePalestinian dress preserves the memory of a vanished world
An editorial letter, each Thursday.
Long-form reading recommendations, auction previews, and reports from museum floors — from the HALI editorial desk.