by Valerie Justin.
On June 5th the Hajji Baba Club of New York City, the oldest rug society in the United States, was hosted by the Textile Museum of Washington, D.C. at the home in Far Hills, New Jersey, of collector-members Claire and Roger Pratt.
The very attractive installation of their collection of rugs and textiles included handsome ikat robes and suzanis emphasizing the theme of the Textile Museum s upcoming exhibit “Colors of the Oasis – Central Asian Ikats”. The exhibit, which will open on October 16th will coincide with the Museum s annual symposium, titled “Tying the Rainbow: reexamining Central Asian Ikats”. Michael Franses, the recipient of this year s TM award will be a presenter.
Sumru Belger Krody, TM Curator of Eastern Hemisphere Collections presented an enticing video introduction to the Ikat exhibit after which the chairman of the Board Bruce Baganz, announced the selection of the Museums new director, Maryclaire Ramsey, currently the museum’s CEO. Ms Ramsey who was present, then spoke about the TMs plans for the future and its expansion of public programing.
Examples from the collection of Claire and Roger Pratt:
Valerie Justin, Vanishing Textiles