Ms. Methaporn Singhanan
Ms. Methaporn Singhanan is a textile curator, historian, and former Chevening Fellow at the British Library in 2022-23, where she studied manuscript textiles from the Southeast Asian collection. She holds a B.A. in History and an M.A. in Art and Cultural Management from Chiang Mai University and has more than 8 years of textile exhibition experience as a curator at the Money and Textile Museum, Bank of Thailand, Northern Region Office, Chiang Mai.
Before joining the Bank of Thailand in 2014, she worked as a historian for the Northern Archaeology Centre (NAC) at Chiang Mai University for the conservation of Lanna artefacts in northern Thailand temples. From 2008 until now, she has also been running volunteer campaigns to preserve Lanna Buddhist art, revive the traditions, and establish a local museum. She is presently a lecturer at the International Sustainable Development Studies Institute.
Historic manuscript textiles from mainland Southeast Asia: cultural and economic ties
This paper examines the complex field of historical manuscript textiles from mainland Southeast Asia. Focuses on their roles in the region’s economy and their value as cultural artifacts. These manuscript textiles date back centuries, and they are not just ornamental things, but they are loaded with meanings and rich histories, representing the complicated interplay of faith, trade, and local traditions. This study examines a wide collection of manuscript textiles from Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar from various collections, emphasizing the techniques, motifs, and materials employed, illustrating Southeast Asian nation’s connection and economic interdependence.
The study relies on significant exploration and archival research to provide insights into how these textiles were manufactured, exchanged, and conserved. It also investigates the impact of foreign trade networks and colonial histories on the development of textile manufacturing and usage in the region. This research aims to increase understanding of Southeast Asia’s cultural legacy while highlighting the importance of preserving these priceless artifacts for future generations.
Right: Luxury manuscript textile from northern Laos, made from a re-used tube skirt of exquisite quality, combining a silk and silver-thread tapestry (border) with a large piece of Ikat fabric (main body) and a cotton waistband. Ca. mid-20th century. British Library, Or 16886 Credit: Methaporn Singhanan
Left: Silk wrapping cloth with gold thread, of Indian origin, made to order for the Thai royal court from central Thailand c. 1824-52, British Library, Or 5107 Credit: Methaporn Singhanan