Indagare Tours: Special Access Shopping

For those interested in antique textiles, there is a fabulous dealer in Jaipur who shares his private collection (many museum quality pieces) and sells rare pieces. Academics and museum curators seek him out, and a visit to this showroom is akin to an academic crash course in textiles. Among the interesting facts that I learned: paisley designs actually come from the Moghul mango style of weaving—the teardrop shape was a mango and its shape can specific periods—and the design became called paisley only after French manufacturer Jacquard started producing the patterns on a loom in the Scottish town of Paisley in the early 1800s. The treasures that can be viewed include 400-year-old Ikat pieces, antique gold brocades, including one made on wool for the nizams of Golconda. The King of Qatar spent millions here amassing his collection and one could truly spend hours here ogling masterpieces. By appointment only.