Textual Inscriptions and Visual Interpretation in Jain Textiles

Syona Puliady reflects on the rarity and significance of inscriptions in textiles, noting that while most pieces feature abstract designs or figural imagery, words are seldom incorporated as part of the visual composition. When present, inscriptions provide valuable context, offering confirmation—or complication—of visual interpretations. This interplay between text and image enriches the study of these works, allowing scholars to approach them with greater nuance while navigating the limits of textual reliability.

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    PERSON

  • Syona Puliady against a brick background, wearing glasses and smiling

    Syona

    Puliady

    Curator of Textiles of the Eastern Hemisphere

    Fowler Museum at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles