Peonies Pagodas: Embroidered Parsi Textiles from the TAPI Collection brings Parsi embroidery into the vast literature on textiles in India. These 19th century embroideries, late-comers to a field once limited to cloth produced in India, anticipate the current era of intense globalization. Produced by Chinese weavers and embroiderers and taking inspiration from European Chinoiserie, Parsi garments became distinctive markers of the community's identity in India. This publication will attract attention not only from textile scholars and enthusiasts, but from a broader readership intrigued by the history of global flows of art and commerce. CONTENTS: Foreword: Pheroza Godrej, Introduction: Shilpa Shah & Tulsi Vatsal, 1. The Parsis in India-Zenobia Dumasia, 2. The China Connection-Tulsi Vatsal, 3. Parsi Attire: Gar as, Jhablas and Ijars-Priya Mani, 4. Looking West, Buying East-Tulsi Vatsal, 5. Patterning A Gara-Shilpa Shah & Tulsi Vatsal, 6. Exporting the Exotic: Embroidered Silks of China-Yueh-Soamg Chang, 7. Decorative Motifs and Bird Symbolism in Parsi Embroidery-Aban Mukherji, 8. Aspects of Assimilation: The Indian Group of Parsi Textiles in the Tapi Collection-Jasleen Dhamija, 9. Parsi Headgear: Topis Villoo Mirza, 10. Sari Border & Kors-Priya Mani, 11. Methods and Sttiches-Priya Mani, 12. Parsi Dress and Identity-Jesse S Palsetia, 13. The Embroidery Cupboard: Oral Accounts of Parsi Embroidery-Shemaz Cama, 14. The Gara Today: An Heirloom Reinvented-Shilpa Shah, 15. Chinese Communities in India-Madhavi Thampi, Bibliography, Acknowledgements.